PA HB 1233 becomes law; Assisted Outpatient Treatment Bill Becomes Law
November 26, 2018Before the General Assembly adjourned for the upcoming general election, the Legislature passed HB 1233, Representative Tom Murt’s assisted outpatient treatment bill. RCPA and other organizations had been working with members of the General Assembly and the administration on this issue to make it more practical. Despite pleas to the Governor to veto the legislation, the Governor signed the bill into law on Wednesday, October 24. The bill becomes Act 106 of 2018.
A detailed summary of the bill can be Read More
NAMI Excited with New Opportunities to Improve Medicaid Mental Health Care
11/13/2018
Secretary Alex Azar, U.S. Health & Human Services, announced that the Administration will allow states to apply for Medicaid waivers to pay for mental health treatment in inpatient settings known as IMDs, or institutions of mental disease. Historically, Medicaid has not paid for treatment in these settings for most adults. While this policy was intended to reduce inhumane institutionalization, it also resulted in unequal coverage of mental health and, tragically, a lack of appropriate options for people with severe mental health Read More
Public Meeting Held on Future of Norristown State Hospital
NORRISTOWN — Only a decade ago a major movie studio was contemplating filming here, and now its fate is up for debate.
At a little more than 198 acres holding 55 buildings, the Norristown State Hospital property is being scrutinized like never before in its 138-year history.
Signing in for the Public Meeting for the Norristown State Hospital at Norristown Municipal Hall on Tuesday, 110 people came to hear the latest findings from chief consultant Michael Baker International (MBI) on potential uses Read More
NAMI and Others File Lawsuit Against the Short-Term, Limited Duration Plan Final Rule
9/14/2018
In partnership with the Association for Community Affiliated Plans and other organizations, NAMI filed suit today to invalidate the federal short-term, limited duration (STLD) insurance plan rule issued last month by three federal agencies. The legal challenge seeks a temporary injunction against the recently issued STLD rule, which would expand the availability of plans that do not have to provide coverage for mental heatlh and substance use services or comply with mental health parity.
These short-term, limited duration Read More
NAMI Statement on Family Separations at Border
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, was created based on the foundation of family involvement and through our years of experience, we believe that strong family support is vital to a child’s long-term mental health.
The forced separation of families is highly stressful and can result in trauma—and these separations can profoundly impact children who do not yet have a mental health condition, as well as those who are experiencing symptoms, Read More
Ask Your PA State Senator to VOTE NO to HB 2138
A bill moving through the state legislature is targeting individuals and families who rely on Medicaid. If it passes, people could lose coverage. House Bill 2138 calls for work requirements, lockout periods, eligibility determinations, and eligibility bans. Our partners at the Pennsylvania Health Access Network put together this graphic showing how HB 2138 could negatively impact you or your loved one.
Work requirements for Medicaid are unnecessary and cruel. Contact your Pennsylvania State Senator NOW and ask them to VOTE NO on HB Read More