NAMI
National Alliance of Mental Illnesshttp://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=about_the_issue
America’s Mental Health Care Future
As a nation, the U.S. is the third highest spender on health care per person, yet our health outcomes rank 37th compared to other nations. We can do better. Even though the economy is in dire condition, our nation will recover. Our nation’s health care system is undergoing a complete overhaul to prepare for better times ahead. A uniquely American approach based on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Parity Act) will bring the insurance industry into line and strengthen public/private partnerships. However, NAMI’s advocacy is needed to prevent harmful consequences and ensure the right care at the right time and in the right place to give every child and adult living with mental illness the chance to succeed in the family, school, workplace and community.
- Mental Health Care Priorities (PDF)
- Workforce Development (PDF)
- Integration of Mental Health Care, Addiction Treatment and Primary Health Care Fact Sheet (PDF)
- State Action Agenda—Summary (PDF)
- State Action Agenda—Full Version (PDF)
Budget Advocacy
Budget cuts today are dismantling state mental health care systems at levels never faced before. NAMI's top advocacy priority is to protect and strengthen state and local public mental health services. (more)
- Public Mental Health Service Funding: An Overview
- Talking Points: Block Granting of Medicaid
- How to Win the State Budget Battle
- Take it to the District—Tips for Advocacy Forums
The High Costs of Cutting Mental Health
The costs of cutting the state mental health budgets are high. The lives of the one in four Americans who experiences a mental illness at some point is at stake. Treatment works -- if you can get it.
Without treatment, more people will end up hospitalized, in shelters, on the street, in jail or dead. These are costs that are too high to pay.
Our fact sheets illustrate the impact of an inadequate mental health system on our communities . We can't afford to neglect our investment. Advocates are encouraged to print and use these in their efforts with elected public policy makers, the media and others.
- Homelessness
- Criminal Justice
- Children & Youth
- Health Care
- Mental Illness and the Workplace
- Unemployment
Policy Webinars & Presentations
- Nothing Says Recovery
Like a Job
Michael Cohen & Deborah Becker, Sept. 14, 2012
Recording ID: 7G853H
(Tip: Use Internet Explorer to view.)
Resources
Recovery and IPS Supported Employment
- Voter Registration
Training - Mental Health Care Gets My Vote!
Sita Diehl, Lynn Williams and Angela Webster, July 13, 2012
Recording ID: 82BJBF
Recording Key: policy
(Tip: Use Internet Explorer to view.)
- State Hospitals
Rebalancing: Considerations for State Leaders
Kevin Martone, LSW, The Technical Assistance Collaborative, Apr. 11, 2012
Recording ID: NDB4CG
Recording Key: policy
(Tip: Use Internet Explorer to view.)
Resources
Kaiser Learning from History 2007
Medicaid Financing of State and Local Psychiatric Hospitalization
State Regulation of Residential Facilities for Adults with Mental Illness
Follow-up Responses by Kevin Martone - PowerPoint:
Understanding Medicaid's Role in Mental Health Funding
Judy Solomon, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, October 21, 2010
Managed Care, Medicaid and Mental Health
- What is Managed Care? (PDF)
- What to Ask: A Checklist for Advocates (PDF)
- Provider Network Management (PDF)
Mental Health Block Grant
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has developed two policy framework documents to provide guidance to state mental health authorities and community stakeholders regarding allocation of Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grant (SAPT) funding.
- SAMHSA's Eight Strategic Initiatives
- SAMHSA's Description of a Good and Modern Addictions and Mental Health Service System (PDF).
- Community Mental Health Services State Block Grant Use by the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
