Report from the Division At the Commission of MHDDSAS Meeting February 25, 2010
Sometimes it is good to take a break and hear some good news!
Institute of Medicine - Congress established the national Institutes of Medicine (IOM) to conduct scientific research to inform their decision making; we have an active IOM in NC- last year they completed a report on Addicitons, and DD transitional issues. This year we have three studies in process:
IOM/Military and Behavioral Health - We have the fourth largest military presence of all of the states, and we constitute 25% of those deployed in the whole USA as well. This study was ordered by the General Assembly, with the final report due during the next long session. I have been very fortunate to serve on our behalf on this committee and have made many excellent contacts. We've already used one of those contacts as a speaker at our eastern regional conference. We will expand our marketing/outreach efforts to the military, including the national guard- so this is an excellent way to build your membership and share our programs to those who may return with PTSD, for example. We are actively working to expand F2F and other programs to the VA hospitals- so far that is happening in Durham, Fayetteville, and we are working on Asheville and Salisbury.
IOM/Access Study- This report will really focus on the implementation of parity rules and health insurance issues in general
ION Adult Care Homes- impact of adults with mental illnesses in those settings - Mike Weaver, head of our consumer council represents NAMI NC on this committee; we will hear more from him on this very important topic
With revenues coming in short, the Department is considering stronger measures to cut costs in a way that would once again potentially be harmful to people living with mental illnesses. NC is one of 23 states that exempts mental health medications from requirements that make it harder to access the drugs that are needed- like a prior authorization, where someone must first approve that medication. We need to maintain this exemption, not remove it. Chances are, if it is an expensive medication, they might authorize one that costs less and might not work as well. Even if the state operates from a grandfathering in proviso-any extra step in getting meds is a barrier- and research shows those barriers in fact are harmful; resulting in more ER trips and worse. People living with mental illness have been through a ten year struggle- with horrific cuts last year. Don't make more cuts like restriction of access - Speak up now!
Call Your Legislators Today
Time is short. Call or email today. Let them know that you are counting on them to reject any changes to eliminate open access to medications in NC.
Click here to contact your legislator
Call or Write to the Department of Health and Human Services and the NC Division of Medical Assistance Today
Talking points:
- The NC Division of Medical Assistance posted on their website the proposed Preferred Drug List (PDL) - this is the first step in limiting access -
- The HIV/AIDS group continues to have an exemption from controls- why not the group with mental health disorders?
- Medications work differently on every single person- the choice should remain with the doctor and the patient
- This adds more strain to an already burdened system- people have lost community support, and now, will they be required to try drugs that may now work as well for them on top of that?
- Prior authorization adds a burden to the doctors too- more time making calls, getting approval. Our worry is that there aren't even enough psychiatrists in the system to go around right now- will this drive them away from this important work?
Other ways to save money:
1. NC already has mandatory generic substitution for NC medicaid, - this saves
money unless the prescriber says the brand name is medically necessary
2. Use science, and data to understand prescribing problems and address those
problems specifically, rather than adding layers of bureacracy for everyone.
more letters to doctors who prescribe expensive drugs for off label use like sleep
aids- solve those problems, don't penalize everyone
3. Use the Prescription Advantage List- which helps physicians know what the drugs they prescribe actually cost
Medications truly do work differently on everybody. While we must spend the public dollar wisely, to stretch it to serve so many needs, following what may be decades of trial and error to find the right medication, no one needs to be forced to change to a cheaper form of the medication. Too much research has shown that any barrier can be a reason to simply not take medications. Medication compliance is already an issue- and for many good reasons; the side effects can be devastating. But we know medications in combination with supports and therapies really work- let's let them work by maintaining open access.
Plan to attend and speak out about this issue at one of the Town Hall meetings coming up in March and April:
Town Hall Meeting
on
Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse Services
Sponsored by The Coalition
The Coalition, 40 organizations advocating together to meet the needs of North Carolinians living with the developmental disabilities, the disease of addiction, & mental illness, will host a series of town hall meetings on MH, DD, & SA services across the state. These listening sessions will:
- Provide a briefing on the current budget cuts and future budget outlook
- Offer an opportunity to share your opinions about MHDDSA services and supports; in person, in writing, or online
- Update you on how to make a difference on these issues
TIME: All meetings are from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Doors will open at 6:00 PM and the program begins at 6:30.
DATES & LOCATIONS:
March 1 - Greenville
Pitt Community College, Fulford Building, Rm. 153 Nursing Auditorium, Hywy 11 and
Firetower Rd.
March 15 - Charlotte
McLeod Center, 515 Clanton Road
for updates April 13 - Fayetteville
Southern Regional Area Heath Education Center (SRAHEC)
1601 Owen Drive
April 19 - Asheville
Mountain Area Heath Education Center (MAHEC), 501 Biltmore Ave
Don't forget - the Eastern Regional Conference (open to all) is February 27 in Greenville- register on our web page; the $l0.00 registration includes lunch - what a deal!
Deby Dihoff
Executive Director
