2007 Legislative Action and Policy Changes Impacting At Risk Populations Presented by Jennifer Mahan of the Mental Health Association in North Carolina

Health Policy  Mental Health Parity  High Risk Pool  Child Health Care State Funded Plan Federal SCHIP  Smoking Ban in State Facilities

NC Mental Health Parity  HB 973 covers group plans and requires mental health coverage  The law becomes effective July 1,  9 diagnoses at full parity – bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, paranoid and other psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

MH Parity Cont.  other mental illness diagnoses at financial parity – deductibles, coinsurance factors, co-payments, maximum out-of-pocket as well as annual and lifetime limits must be the same as for physical illnesses.  Mental illness diagnoses not included in the 9 listed may have different durational limits, but the minimum benefit required: Thirty (30) combined inpatient and outpatient days per year Thirty (30) office visits per year

High Risk Pool o For people with pre-existing medical conditions to purchase more affordable insurance o % of standard plan o Paid for with tax on gross premiums paid by insurance companies o HWTF startup funds o Risk pool commission sets policies to manage eligibility and pool funds

Child Health Plan  Children in families up to 300% of poverty  Waiting for impact of Federal SCHIP changes  Final plan will be developed by DHHS based on available funds (currently 7 million)  Expected to start July

Budget Items  Numerous items (see budget online at Big winners:  County Medicaid relief/optional tax  UNC Cancer Research Fund  NC Health Choice funds  Medicaid for yr foster youth  NC Health Net 2.8 million  Pandemic flu planning  School Nurses

Smoking  State facilities now join prisons in smoking ban -HB 24  Tobacco free schools -SB 1086  Smoke free UNC -SB 862  Long term care facilities -HB 1294  Restaurant/bar/local control smoking ban failed to pass  Zoo instituted voluntary ban under public pressure

Safety  School Violence Prevention/Anti-Bullying - did not pass. Current version includes enumeration of those typically bullied in school Anti-bulling programs are available for schools. Contact Adrian Lovelace at MHA-NC, and Billy Lassiter, Dept of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Positive Behavioral Supports – contact Diann Irwin, Dept of Public Instruction

Economic Security/Housing  State Earned Income Tax Credit  Long Term Care Insurance Credit  Child Care subsidy rate increase  Funds 1520 more child care slots  Housing Trust Fund  Housing 400  DHHS housing/homeless positions

Challenges Ahead  Mental health system  Health disparities  Uninsured/Underinsured Full coverage for MI and addiction  Healthcare workforce  Boomer population  Child and adult obesity and related illness  Low-income housing

Organizations and Websites  Health Access Coalition/Justice Center  Action for Children  Alliance for Health  Covenant w/ NC’s Children Brian Lewis, ED  The Coalition (MH/DD/SAS) Sally Cameron, Chair  NC Legislature:

Contact Information Jennifer Mahan Mental Health Association in NC 1331 Sunday Drive Raleigh NC x270