The Latest Budget Dilemma

What a mess! More threats to mental health services mid year, this time to the tune of $139 million dollars. The good news is that the house leadership recognized that we cannot make rate cuts nor can we eliminate optional medicaid services to balance the budget.  The bad news is that there is endless finger pointing about who will do what to plug this $139 M hole.  And the really bad news - it could in fact result in catastrophic medicaid cuts.  Remember, medicaid is the largest funding source of services to those living with mental illness. 

How did this happen?  Several things- loss of federal stimulus dollars, liabilities for back payments to the government that were not included in this year's budget, hope for savings from changes to assessments that would have led to savings, but did not because the federal government did not approve them, and generally additional time to get approvals for other modifications that delays the savings opportunities. 

What are our options?

The Secretary put together a good initiative to get input on how to deal with budget shortfalls from a broad group of stakeholders in the Medical Care Advisory Committee through  public hearings.  Everyone was united:  no slashing of provider rate cuts (we've had a lot of that..) and no wholesale elimination of optional medicaid services.  Just to be clear- our population, living with mental illness, relies heavily on optional medicaid services when they have prescriptions filled, or when they use an ACTT service, a clubhouse service, or the like.  But now everyone's tunes have changed, with the leadership in the General Assembly saying the money isn't coming and that the Governor will have to deal with this.  The Governor does not make appropriations, the legislature does that!  She must manage the budget within the state appropriation limits. 

What can you do to help?

1. Call Speaker Tillis and hold him to comments he made in October that the state needs to use budget surplus, or rainy day funds, or other funds to cover this one time problem. Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net  919 733 3451 (in Raleigh)
2. Call Representative Dollar who also said in October that there would be no cuts to services or rates to make up for one time liabilities.  Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net  919 715 0795
3. Call the Senate leader Phil Berger with the same message Phil.Berger@ncleg.net  919 733 5708
4. Let's expect the best from our leaders- that they keep their word.  Let's hold them accountable.

Make the calls. Send the emails.   Make a difference today.  Let your voice be heard.  And thank you for your advocacy