Michigan Department of Health and Human Services submitted the Section 298 Final Report to the Michigan legislature today. The final version is available for download below. The 42 model proposals were also submitted.

MDHHS would like to thank the hundreds of Michiganders who participated in statewide discussions as part of the Section 298 Initiative. MDHHS and the 298 Facilitation Workgroup used your comments and feedback as part of developing the final report, which will help guide upcoming legislative discussions on the coordination of physical health and behavioral health services. MDHHS will continue to engage stakeholders throughout the upcoming discussion.

Final Report of the 298 Facilitation Workgroup

Section 298 All Model Proposals

For more information about Section 298 click here to view archived posts.

MDHHS recently reported that Steve Yager has announced he will be retiring from state service at the end of April. Steve has served as an outstanding Executive Director of the Children’s Services Agency and has led an outstanding team to protect the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in Michigan.

Today Director Lyon announced the appointment of Dr. Herman McCall to be the next Executive Director of the Children’s Services Agency at MDHHS. Dr. McCall has been a key member of our team as Director of Juvenile Justice Programs and brings tremendous expertise and dedication to this role.

Dr. McCall will begin working alongside Steve effective Monday, February 27, to provide for a smooth transition upon his retirement April 28.

Please see the press release for additional details. Press Release New Children’s Services Director

Families USA has put together a user-friendly fact sheet that highlights many of the important issues that may go along with ACA Replacement.

You can download the document here familiesusa.org-Republicans ACA Replacement Proposals Fall Short of Providing the Protections and Care People Current (1)

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public feedback on the financing of Michigan’s efforts to better coordinate physical, mental health services

The public can provide feedback beginning today on draft financing models for the statewide effort to improve coordination of physical and behavioral health services.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has posted on its website a survey that gives stakeholders a chance to play a role in determining financing for the initiative, which is known as Section 298.

To link directly to MDHHS’s press release click here.

To link the Section 298 Stakeholder page and find a link to the survey click here.

Click here to read the February 2017 Michigan Juvenile Justice Collaborative’s Newsletter.

Click here to link directly to the January 2017 Governmental Affairs Update shared by the ARC Michigan and RWC Advocacy or view it below:

January 2017

Government Affairs Update

The 99th Michigan Legislature convened on Wednesday, January 11. There was no committee or floor activity (other than bill introductions), in anticipation of the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference on January 12, the Governor’s State of the State address on January 17, and the completion of House committee assignments (see below for more on all three). Activity in both chambers will pick up the week of January 23.

Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference

The State Treasurer and other state fiscal leaders gathered on January 12 to finalize revenue projections for the coming year (Fiscal Year 2017-2018). In general, the state’s economy continues to climb slowly and it does not appear that any cuts will be needed in the current fiscal year (due in part to $478 million in one-time revenue from the last fiscal year that will carry forward). Legislative leaders and incoming State Budget Director Al Pscholka stressed that the FY 2018 budget will be “cautious” in light of the forecast and other potential influences on revenue collections, such a declining housing market due to higher interest rates or an unexpected business tax refund. Overall, there is projected revenue growth of $613 million combined for the General Fund and School Aid Fund in FY 2017; combined growth of $558 million in FH 2018; and combined growth of $415 million in FY 2019.Click Here for Consensus Revenue Agreement Executive Summary Economic and Revenue Forecasts Fiscal Years 2017, 2018 and 2019

State of the State Address

Governor Snyder delivered his 7th, and second-to-last, State of the State address on January 17. The address was primarily a rundown of numerous issues before the state, such as job growth and infrastructure needs, but contained very few new proposals or initiatives. In contrast to last year’s address, there was very little mention of Flint. The Governor did note the success of the Heathy Michigan Plan and announced that he will be joining other Republican Governors later this week to urge that Congress not dismantle Medicaid expansion as part of any Affordable Care Act revisions.
The Governor began his speech by touting the recent economic development growth announced in Michigan recently. The Governor reiterated his support and success of the Healthy Michigan Plan (Medicaid expansion). It was announced earlier today that the Governor will be in Washington DC this week urging members of Congress to maintain Medicaid expansion.

The Governor announced a crowd sourcing challenge urging creative minds to find a solution to the looming Asian carp crisis in the Great Lakes. For more information, please see www.mi.gov/carpchallenge.
The “vocational village” program in the Ionia prison aimed at giving inmates job skills will be expanded to the Jackson prison and the Huron Valley women’s correctional facility.
The 21st Century Infrastructure Commission recommendations were highlighted, focusing on funding and the asset management component of the commission’s recommendations.
“Place making” was previewed as an item the Governor will recommend for additional resources in the upcoming budget.
The Governor applauded the legislature for adopting autonomous vehicle regulations and touted “Planet M,” which is the overall brand for automotive mobility.
Michigan’s population should again grow above 10 million people – we are only 70,000 shy at this point.

Key documents from the Governor on accomplishments in the past 6 years and initiatives the Governor discussed during the address are available at:
http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277–402543–,00.html

The full transcript of the address can be found here.

House of Representatives Committee Assignments

House Speaker Tom Leonard is expected to announce House committee assignments sometime the week of January 23. The full House has adopted its Standing Rules in House Resolution 1, which establishes the names and number of members for standing committees for the coming session. There are numerous changes in both from last session, among them: the Education Committee has been renamed the Education Reform Committee and will have 12 members; the Criminal Justice Committee was renamed the Law and Justice Committee and will have 12 members; and the Elections Committee will now be called the Elections and Ethics Committee.
Click Here for STANDING RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION ARTICLE IV, SECTION 16

Legislation

Senate Bill 35 – Reintroduction of legislation to regulate charitable gaming millionaire parties. Introduced by Senator Rick Jones, referred to the Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform.

Senate Bills 29 – 32 – Legislation to further modify the deadline for eliminating the Health Insurance Claims Assessment (HICA), from July 1, 2020 to May 31, 2017 unless the federal government provides written notification and explanation that HICA is impermissible and that federal Medicaid funding would be reduced. The bills also create a Health Services Fund in the Department of Treasury to Introduced by Senator Horn (SB 29), referred to the Senate Committee on Health Policy.

Senate Bills 36 and 38 – Legislation to allow inclusion of fingerprint/photograph of a person with special health care needs in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System and statewide network of photos upon request of parent or guardian. Introduced by Senator Rick Jones, referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary. Hearing scheduled for January 24.

House Bill 4051 – Legislation to require lead screening for all children under age six who are enrolled in Medicaid or MI Child. Introduced by Representative Schor, referred to the House Health Policy Committee.

**Direct links to all the bills mentioned above can be found using the link at the top of the page.

Other

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services submitted its Section 298 Initiative interim to the Michigan Legislative on January 13, as required in the FY 2017 budget act. The reports calls, among other things, continuing the separation of payment operations for physical and behavioral health services. It also recommends that any change to the status quo be “partly informed and guided” by integration demonstration and pilot projects. Further, the report recommends steps to end coverage gaps and to incentivize screening for substance use disorders. The report does acknowledge that significant changes in federal policy and funding could affect the recommendations. A second phase of the Initiative is now underway and will focus on the development of recommendations on models and benchmarks for implementation. A second, final report will be presented to the Legislative in mid-March.
Click the following link for the MDHHS Interim 298 Report: Final Interim Report of the 298 Facilitation Workgroup – Final Version

 

 

The Family Center For Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs is excited to let you know about our Summer Camp Scholarship opportunity!

Effective immediately, they would like to invite families to apply to receive a summer camp scholarship up to $250. The Summer Camp Scholarship is designed to assist families with sending their child with special health care needs to a summer camp of their choosing.

Applications are being accepted now and through the end of March 2017. Families will be required to submit a completed application along with the Attendance Confirmation Form, which will need to be filled out by the Camp Director. The required forms are attached below as one PDF file.

Please feel free to share this with other families within your network or families. Questions can be answered by calling  Family Phone Line at 800-359-3722.

Funding is limited, so please apply as soon as possible. Download the application here:

FC-Summer-Camp-Scholarship-Application-2017

 

 

Crains Michigan Morning January 26, 2017 7:30 p.m.
Mental health organizations hit back on HMO plan for reform
By JAY GREENE –

Direct link to Crain’s Article:http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20170126/NEWS/170129868/mental-health-organizations-hit-back-on-hmo-plan-for-reform

Six behavioral health advocacy organizations issued a strong statement ( Advocate Coalition Response to MAHP’s Minority Report) late Thursday afternoon that blasted a Section 298 Workgroup “minority report” (mahp minority report on section 298 FINAL) released earlier this week by Michigan’s 11 Medicaid health plans on their vision of how the state should improve integration of dual behavioral health and physical health systems.

The Michigan Association of Health Plans, which represents the HMOs, said in its report Tuesday that the state Legislature should consider pilot models that would allow HMOs to manage the $2.4 billion Medicaid mental health system.

“The only thing bothering the MAHP is that no one other than them wants public behavioral health dollars turned over to the (managed health plans),” Dohn Hoyle, director of public policy with the Arc Michigan, said in a statement.

“For almost a year now, the MHPs have been shut down at every stage of the Section 298 process, including the lieutenant governor’s initial 120-person workgroup and the subsequent DHHS 298 workgroup (approximately 25 members) that currently exists.”

Doyle said that in 31 smaller workgroup sessions last fall, a majority of the 800 participants expressed “overwhelming opposition to the MHPs controlling behavioral health dollars and services to a greater extent than now.”

The dispute between the public mental health system and the Medicaid HMOs began early last year. Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed 2017 state budget included a provision that could have allowed the state’s managed care organizations to manage the $2.4 billion Medicaid behavioral health funding. Currently, 10 prepaid inpatient health plans, which are operated by the public mental health system, manage the funding and contract with providers. The HMOs manage about $6 billion in covered Medicaid physical health care services.

Mental health advocates strenuously objected to HMOs taking over the entire system and the issue has been contentious all last year between the two sides and the state. After meeting for nine months with facilitating consultants and the state Department of Health and Human Services, a 91-page interim report was completed two weeks ago and submitted to the Legislature. A final report is due March 15.

But Dominick Pallone, MAHP’s executive director, told Crain’s on Wednesday that the HMO community felt the report did not adequately explain the position of the managed care organizations. The minority report document was intended to present additional information for legislators to mull over.

“My membership did ask us to assist in documenting our industry’s opposition to some of the (MDHHS interim) report’s points, and while they appreciate all the hard work that has gone into this process thus far, they are disappointed that the concept of fully integrating (at the financial and service system levels) the Medicaid program has not been more widely accepted,” Pallone said.

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who has become closely involved in the mental health reform efforts, issued the following statement Thursday evening about the dispute:

“Achieving the successful integration of physical and behavioral health care will require hard work and perseverance. Still, it is necessary and the effort is important. The 298 workgroup includes a diverse set of stakeholders, who will differ on these complex issues at times and I appreciate the involvement and perspectives of all who are involved in this process.

“Although the interim report was released, the work is far from complete. I remain committed to the inclusive process we have established and encourage everyone to continue to work together and not lose sight of the main goal, which is to improve the coordination, effectiveness and outcomes of health care services for Michiganders.”

But Mark Reinstein, CEO of the Mental Health Association in Michigan, has a different view about the ultimate goals of MAHP.

“The Medicaid HMOs have failed dramatically in all 298 deliberations that have occurred since last February. So now they want to complain that things haven’t been done satisfactorily,” Reinstein said in a statement. “That is their right, but it is our obligation to point out that they are simply trying to do an end-run on the tremendous amount of work that has taken place on this — work that they participated in and often times supported.”

Reinstein said Snyder’s original proposal to “move all community mental health Medicaid money and clients to the MHPs has been thoroughly discussed and assessed three times in the last year” and “that proposal has gone down every time.”

Pallone told Crain’s that the main reason MAHP issued its minority report was that the MDHSS report process did not allow for dissent opinions to be adequately documented in it.

“The makeup of the workgroup is dominated by behavioral health advocates, prepaid inpatient health plan representatives and community mental health representatives — leaving our opinions in the vast minority,” Pallone said. “This was our way to document those opinions, so that it could not be said that since we participated in the workgroup that we agreed with all of its recommendations.”

Pallone also softly criticized MDHHS for not fully completing its report by Jan. 15, as the state Legislature originally required.

“While the interim report notes that there is additional work to be done by compiling financing model pilot suggestions and establishing annual benchmarks to measure progress in implementing new financing models, our minority report simply notes that we wanted this concluded by the statutory due date,” Pallone said.

“The delay … effectively means that (Snyder’s) fiscal year 2018 executive budget recommendations will not be able to explicitly recommend specific alternative financing model pilots,” Pallone said.

It is expected that the MDHHS will submit a full report to the state Legislature by March 15. It will include additional language that suggests a variety of pilot models by which integration of behavioral health and physical health care be accomplished.

However, the six behavioral health organizations contend that the interim report prohibits HMOs from submitting pilot studies or models in which they manage the dual streams of funding.

“Pilot proposals for health care integration/coordination (should) be … considered, as long as the lead entities for those proposals are public entities, which the state’s Medicaid health plans, or HMOs, are not,” said the statement by the behavioral health groups.

Pallone said the health plan interpretation is that any organization could be selected by MDHHS to manage a pilot demonstration.

“Alternative financing pilot programs are the way to test one set of reforms,” Pallone said in an email Thursday evening. “MAHP thinks they should go forward; this group doesn’t.”

Pallone also said there is wide agreement — simply by reading the interim state report — that the current system is broken and needs fixing.

“At the end of the day, without major reform, the very patients that we all believe need to get more and better treatment will end up with either the same failed system, or worse, less treatment as costs escalate faster than state-allocated resources,” Pallone said.

The six behavioral health organizations also include the Association for Children’s Mental Health, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service and National Alliance on Mental Illness-Michigan.

______________

For more information you can:

Read the Advocate Coalition’s Response here: Advocate Coalition Response to MAHP’s Minority Report

Read the Minority Report released by the Michigan Association of Health that the Advocate opposes:

mahp minority report on section 298 FINAL

To read  more about the release of the Interim Final Report click here.

To download MDHHS’s  pilot initiative proposal template click the link below:

Section 298 Initiative Model Proposal Template Final Draft

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) submitted the Final Section 298 Interim Report to the Michigan Legislature on Friday.

MDHHS also launched the next phase of the Section 298 Initiative. As part of the next phase of the initiative, interested stakeholders can submit potential models for consideration by the 298 Facilitation Workgroup.

MDHHS will accept model proposals submitted to [email protected] using a standardized template from January 13, 2017 to February 3, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. The model proposal template can also be viewed below.

Please feel free to contact us is you have questions about the materials or the work of the Section 298 Workgroup. Thank you to all of the families who shared their input throughout this process!

Final Interim Report of the 298 Facilitation Workgroup – Final Version

Section 298 Initiative Model Proposal Template Final Draft

Click here to read the January Newsletter of the Midwest Education Trust

The Education Trust-Midwest is a statewide education policy and advocacy organization focused first and foremost on doing what is right for Michigan children. Although many organizations speak up for the adults employed by schools and colleges, we speak up for students, especially those whose needs and potential are often overlooked.

Ed Trust-Midwest is affiliated with the national organization, The Education Trust, based in Washington, D.C. Opened in Michigan in 2010, Ed Trust-Midwest is the second state office of the Ed Trust.

https://midwest.edtrust.org/2017/01/10/mich-ed-roundup-jan-10/