May 21, 2013

  • The Senate’s Budget contains no solution for the problem of people with mental illness living in group homes that may close due to lack of funds because of the loss of personal care income.  l500 people are in danger due to the failure to deal with this in the Senate Budget.

May 15, 2013

  • We are at a critical time.  There are serious threats to open access to much needed mental illness medications.  The Governor’s budget is projecting major savings through cutting this line item, which means people will have to change from the drugs they are on to ones that may not work as well.  We need to make it as easy as possible for people to get the medicines they need to get well and stay well.  Help us fight this- take action today!

April 18, 2013

  • This edition contains information about the status of funding to support those living in group homes licensed under .5600 which is due to run out June 30, 2013.

March 25, 2013

  • This edition contains information about the Governor’s budget presentation and its implications for mental health funding, which will now move on to the Senate and House for input and debate.

February 18, 2013

  • This edition contains general information updates on our legislative session, with an emphasis on our progress in making changes for people with mental illnesses in our prisons.

February 1, 2013

  • Here is some information regarding House Bill 5, temporary funding expansion for group homes. This bill has passed the House and is in the Senate.  But we are concerned about the Senate realizing its importantce in passing this bill quickly.  For the full bill click here.  We need your help in contacting your Senators

January 29, 2013

  • Medicaid Expansion is a controversial topic but it boils down to ensuring better health through insurance coverage for more people who have no coverage.  This issue will give you tools to advocate for expansion of health coverage.

December 18, 2012

  • This issue will cover the press conference that Governor Perdue held today  to announce her solution to the group home fiscal shortfall as a result of changes to personal care.

October 3, 2012

  • This issue will update you on the impact to 1400 people with mental illness who live in group homes around the state  who will likely lose their personal care services, and possibly their place to live as well, effective January 1, 2012

September 12, 2012

  • This issue will update you on the DOJ settlement concerning Adult Care Homes

April 27, 2012

  • This issue will update you on the latest developments with our state’s problems with adult care homes, department of justice, and personal care medicaid services.

March 20, 2012

  • This issue will update you on discussions at the General Assembly on Dix property options, and provide an update on problems with personal care in group homes and adult care homes

January 17, 2012

  • This issue will furnish you with an update on the story of the prisons in North Carolina and their treatment of people with mental illness, and the status of our petition for redress and remedies by the administration.

December 20, 2011

  • On Dec. 16, 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an information bulletin outlining how it plans to implement the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that insurance plans offer at least a minimum set of essential health benefits. Read further for details.

December 7, 2011

  • This issue will cover the latest threat requiring our immediate action- that the $139M shortfall in medicaid in our biennium budget will be balanced at the expense of our vulnerable citizens living with mental illness.

December 2, 2011

  • This issue will update you on what bills were taken up during this weeks convening of the legislature.

September 23, 2011

  • This issue comes from Mike Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of NAMI. We are asking for you to contact your members of Congress and urge them to ensure that the “super committee” produces a balanced deficit reduction package.

August 19, 2011

  • In this edition, we are looking for your feedback on our 2011-2012 Public Policy Platform and we also provide information on SCFAC Division Update..

August 11, 2011

  • This edition focuses on several advoacy topics including the debt deal and health reform, more cuts to state’s Medicaid program, and two legal actions filed by Disability Rights NC. Also included are resources and information on policy webinars that might be of interest.

August 3, 2011

  • This edition focuses on the federal action to increase the debt ceiling and to make significant deficit reductions.  Specifically it will focus on the impact of this agreement on people with mental illness.

July 29, 2011

  • This edition focuses on the drawing of new congressional and state legislative districts. Reprinted with permission from Rob Thompson, Executive Director, Covenant with North Carolina’s Children.

July 27, 2011

  • This edition focuses on defining the problem of the IMD Exclusion- (Institutions for Mental Deficiency ).  This exclusion means that medicaid will not pay for certain freestanding psychiatric facilities.  Relevant information will be shared, as well as suggestions for advocacy

July 22, 2011

  • Your US Senators and Representatives are making decisions on the budget – and they are looking at cuts and caps to Medicaid and Medicare- the largest fundor of services for those living with mental illness.  Please call, email or send a letter to your Federal Legislators today!!

June 28, 2011

  • This issue covers important information on Medicaid (at the National Level).  Your US Senators and Representatives are making decisions on the budget – which might both cap spending on medicaid and convert it to a block grant- both of which will reduce spending available to the States.

June 13, 2011

  • This issue covers important information on bills that affect our constituency, like SB 756 Amend Bail Law/Pretrial Release Programs, Capital Sentencing, The Adult Care Home/Institution for Mental Diseases issue, and general budgetary challenges facing the General Assembly with the Governor’s budget veto this weekend.

May 26, 2011

  • This edition will update you on a special press conference to raise awareness about the devastating cuts proposed in the House and Senate versions of the budget.

May 25, 2011

  • This edition will update you on the Senate’s budget and information about the waiver

April 29, 2011

  • This edition will update you on the status of the budget in North Carolina- actions by the Appropriations Committee, and bills of interest.

April 14, 2011

  • This edition will update you on budget cut recommendations made yesterday by the leadership of the House and Senate Health and Human Services Appropriation committee that would be devastating to mental health.

April 6, 2011

  • This edition will update you on important happenings in the General Assembly including the state’s movement towards a statewide medicaid waiver, and updates about federal cuts and threats

February 24, 2011

  • This edition will update you on important happenings in the General Assembly, Prison Rules by the Commission, and a new committee being established to work on ER wait times

February 17, 2011

  • What’s happening with the Budget? Governor Perdue releases proposed budget.
  • What is happening with Peer Support?
  • Coalition Town Hall Meeting

January 25, 2011

  • Community Colleges admissions changes that could deny admissions to those with mental illness
  • House committee leadership
  • Legislative Oversight Committee Recommendations

December 20, 2010

  • Information on upcoming convening of the NC General Assembly in late January – and what you can do to advocate for our mission particularly with newly elected individuals.