The Center for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) proposed a mental health parity rule on April 6th for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid.

The proposed rule would align mental health and substance use disorder benefits for low-income Americans with benefits required of private health plans and insurance and would apply certain provisions of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 to Medicaid and CHIP.

It would ensure that all beneficiaries who receive services through managed care organizations or other benefit plans have access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits regardless of whether services are provided through the managed care organization or another service delivery system.

Vikki Wachino, acting director, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services said “Improving quality and access to care impacts the health of our nation. Whether private insurance, Medicaid, or CHIP, all Americans deserve access to quality mental health services and substance use disorder services.”

To learn more about the proposed rule click here to link to the entire Federation of Families press release for additional information.

Or go to http://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid-chip-program-information/by-topics/benefits/mental-health-services.html.

The proposed rule is currently on display at www.federalregister.gov and will be published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2015. The deadline to submit comments is June 9, 2015.

The Michigan League for Public Policy releases it’s Budget Brief: First look at the Governor’s 2016 Budget

Click here to link to MLPP’s website the Budget Brief document or see excerpt below:

Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget for Fiscal Year 2016 includes many important investments in families and children, despite lower than expected revenues, including:

• A new $49 million initiative to improve reading by third grade;
• $100 million in additional funding for children at risk of falling behind their peers academically;
• Funding to expand the number of child care licensing inspectors the state needs to keep children safe;
• Increases in child care provider payments and policy changes that allow families to keep their child care even if their incomes increase;
• An expansion of dental care to children ages 0-8 receiving Medicaid in the state’s most populous counties of Wayne, Oakland and Kent;
• An increase in funding for mental health services for people not eligible for Medicaid;
• $6 million in new funding for community college independent part-time student grants; and
• Increased funding for universities contingent on limits in tuition increases of 2.8% or less.

Despite these wins for lower-wage families and their children, there are many critical state services that continue to be underfunded, ultimately thwarting the state’s economic growth. Children are living in deeper poverty in Michigan in part because of policy changes that reduced eligibility for income assistance programs – including stringent lifetime caps on assistance and the elimination of income support for an entire family due to the truancy of a single child. Fewer families can receive food assistance and food assistance benefits have been reduced, in part the result of a state asset test. And, while there have been small increases recently in support for public schools, universities and communities, in most cases, they have not fully restored cuts taken during the Great Recession even without factoring in the pressures created by inflationary increases in costs.

Read more by clicking here or visiting: http://www.mlpp.org/a-first-look-at-the-governors-fiscal-year-2016-budget#sthash.obEn0LWb.dpuf

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley: Advances made in 2014 to help Michiganders facing mental health, developmental disabilities LANSING, Mich. – Significant progress was made in 2014 to improve the lives of citizens facing mental health issues, substance use disorders and developmental disabilities, according to a new report issued today by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley on behalf of the Mental Health and Wellness Commission.

“We now have a strong road map to improve the lives and outcomes for individuals as we continue our focus on mental wellness,” Calley said. “Although we’ve made progress, the work to better foster independence, self-determination and quality of life for all residents is far from complete.”

Gov. Rick Snyder created the commission by executive order in Feb. 2013 to address gaps in the delivery of mental health services. Snyder appointed Calley to chair this effort with Michigan Department of Community Health Director Nick Lyon, state Sen. Rebekah Warren, former state Sen. Bruce Caswell and former state Reps. Matt Lori and Phil Cavanagh. The commission has now completed its duty and further efforts will be led by MDCH.

Achievements in 2014 include:
Substance use credentialing: Credentialing standards are now streamlined across all state departments to improve the coordination of care in the state (Public Act 249 of 2014).

Care coordination: Michigan Health Information Network now supports care coordination statewide in both physical and behavioral health settings (PA 129 of 2014).

Deaf and hard of hearing issues: The Department of Civil Rights will continue to lead the state on issues affecting people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

“R-Word”: The offensive and hurtful phrase “mental retardation” has now been removed from state statutes (Bill signing- March 28, 2014).

Pure Michigan marketing: Recommendations were provided to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on how to include families with disabilities in Pure Michigan marketing materials.
Special education funding flexibility: Schools can now use at-risk funds for mental health purposes (PA 196 of 2014).

Autism Council priorities: The Autism Council has committed to making public school educational mental health and developmental disability support services a priority.

Employment directive: Gov. Snyder signed an executive directive encouraging the creation of policies that would make state government more welcoming for people with disabilities.

Interagency Council on Homelessness creation: The Interagency Council on Homelessness was created to provide statewide planning and development resources for homeless Michiganders.

Veterans Trust Fund expansion: Mental health care is now an allowable expense under the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund.

“No wrong door” policy for veterans: Pilot programs are underway to ensure veteranshave full access to mental health services in Battle Creek and Ann Arbor.

Diversion Council expansion to help juveniles: Expansion of the Mental Health Diversion Council to find better ways to help deal with the relationship between mental health issues and juvenile justice.

Scope of the commission: The commission oversaw implementation of recommendations from 2013 to 2014. The Michigan Department of Community Health will now oversee future reforms.

Transportation improvements: The Commission worked with transportation groups to ensure the needs of Michiganders facing mental health issues, developmental disabilities or substance use disorders are taken into consideration.

In addition, $14.3 million was allocated as part of the 2014-2015 budget to set in place 25 additional recommendations for those facing mental health and developmental disabilities. These recommendations include stigma reduction efforts, streamlining statewide screening processes and expanding child health centers in underserved areas.

The full Mental Health and Wellness Commission 2014 annual report and other information is available online at www.michigan.gov/mentalhealth.

During the Governor’s State of the State address on January 20th Governor Snyder announced he will be issuing an executive order that will join the Departments of Community Health (DCH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to create the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in an effort to better serve Michigan residents.

By creating the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Governor hopes to better deliver the services individuals and families need by treating each person as a ‘whole person’ and working more collaboratively in a smarter, less fragmented way.

The vision for the newly created Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is to promote better health outcomes, reduce health risks, and support stable and safe families while encouraging self-sufficiency.