NAMI NC Public Policy
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) North Carolina includes as a major part of its mission the need to advocate for public policy changes to enhance the quality of life and the possibility of recovery for those living with mental illness and their families. To this end, each year the Public Policy committee of the NAMI NC Board obtains input from the grassroots affiliates and their members and they craft a public policy agenda or platform. Our positions are generally consistent with those of NAMI as well.
On this web page you will find our public policy platform, information on the legislative process, including advocacy tips, telephone trees, and even lists of those in the General Assembly. You will also find topics that are important to us such as Housing, Medication, Access to Services, Managed Care, Decriminalization, Emergency Department Wait Times, and pending legislative information.
If you are interested in joining the Public Policy Committee, which meets monthly via conference call, please call or email the office at mail@naminc.org.
Policy Documents & Articles
NAMI North Carolina 2011-2012 Public Policy Agenda click here
NAMI’s Public Policy Platform
Letter to Gov Perdue with Suggestions on Priorities for Budget FY2013 – January 2012
Appointments to Division Waiver Advisory Committee (DWAC)
Dual Eligibles Recommendations (Medicaid/Medicare) – 1/19/12
Kids Caught in a Double Bind: North Carolina’s Failure to Care for Children with Dual Disabilities – 12/2011
Mental Health Parity Law Brought No Cut In Benefits – 12/2011
Emergency Department Wait Time Action Plan (PDF)
Emergency Department Workgroup Minutes (PDF)
Local Management Entities (LMEs) as Potential MCOs (as of 11/7/11)
Who Do Medicaid Cuts Really Hurt? NC Policy Watch (11/1/11)
NAMI North Carolina Urges Congress to Protect Mental Health from ‘Supercommittee’ Deficit Cuts
MAPRx Super Committee Letter 9-21-11
First Study of Its Kind Shows Benefits of Providing Medical Insurance to Poor
Important Budget Information for 2011 from the Budget and Tax Center
Division of MH/DD/SAS October 2011 Update
NAMI North Carolina’s Waiver Position Statement (5/2011)
Health and Human Services Joint Legislative Oversight Committee Members 2011-2012
- Dates for HHS Committee Meetings
- Statement on Medicaid Shortfall – 12/13/11 LOC Meeting
Waiver Strategic Plan DRAFT (7/28/11)
NAMI Wake Report Documenting Increasing ER Waits
1915 b/c Waiver Communication for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
Feds approve Peer Support Specialist definition, scheduled to start in July 2011 only through CABHAS
The Coalition’s Position on the Reinstatement of MH/DD/SAS Funds
What Does Health Care Reform Mean For People Living With Mental Illness?
Public Policy Issues
Access to Medications: Information regarding the need for people with mental illnesses to have access to prescription medications without restrictions
Children: Information regarding children and adolescents mental health
Criminalization: Explores the growing trend of arresting and incarcerating the mentally ill.
Death Penalty: Learn more about efforts to abolish the death penalty for people with severe mental illness.
Double Tragedies: Victims Speak Out Against the Death Penalty For People with Severe Mental Illness
Information regarding the need for funding to create affordable housing for people living with mental illness
Managed Care: Explains issues such as the Patients’ Bill of Rights and other legislation that would provide non-discriminatory health coverage for all persons with mental illnesses.
Medicaid: Explores issues regarding the importance of Medicaid in funding treatment for people with mental illnesses who could otherwise not afford proper health care
State and Federal Budget: Issues related to state and Federal level budgets and funding for mental illness services and treatment