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NAMI CAN!
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NAMI California's Legislative News Hour
Many of you may not know that one local PBS station in this country has its own evening news show. That station is KPBS in San Diego. You may find it strange that many of us consider it a very valuable community service although we do not watch it on TV. That is because the stories appear as they are written on Facebook and Twitter and we are up to date by broadcast time.
Since we are trying to connect with NAMI California members in all effective manners, we are going to try a similar approach. We are beginning with the Facebook postings from the past suspenseful weekend. (Our thanks to our lobbyist Judith Wolen and to CDCAN who provided the information that we posted.)
Friday: The fate of about a dozen important health bills, including two key measures - AB 1453 by Assembly Member Bill Monning and SB 951 by Sen. Ed Hernandez dealing with essential minimum benefits in California under the federal health care reform act, are among the approximately 130 remaining bills waiting final action by the Governor, with only two days left to sign or veto bills. There is some concern that the Governor could veto some or all of the health reform related bills in favor of putting together new legislation that would come out of the upcoming special legislative session.
Saturday: GOVERNOR TAKES ACTION ON 43 MORE BILLS LATE THIS AFTERNOON - LEAVES JUST ABOUT 40 REMAINING ON HIS DESK BEFORE SUNDAY NIGHT DEADLINE
* No Action Yet On Package Of Major Health Reform Bills
* Takes Action on Several Redevelopment Related Bills - Signs Housing Bond Funding That Includes Targeting People With Special Needs (AB 951).
Sunday: News on three bills supported by NAMI CA: AB 1907 (Due Process for Prisoners/Medication) and SB 9 (Parole Flexibility for People Sentenced While Youth) have been signed. We are told SB 542 (Inmate Welfare Fund) was vetoed.
Sunday: Phew! - Governor Brown this evening took action on the 50 remaining bills left on his desk, including measures dealing with implementation of health care reform in California, signing AB 1453 by Assemblymember Bill Monning (Democrat - Santa Cruz) and SB 951 by Senator Ed Hernandez (Democrat - West Covina) that set minimum requirements - called "essential health benefits" - of what health plans and health insurance must provide in California but vetoing AB 1461 and SB 961 that addressed pre-existing conditions.
Monday: Several people have been concerned that AB 1461 and SB 961 were vetoed and that health reform consequently might not be fully implemented in California. The action does NOT override the ACA. Passage would have provided state-level details. The governor plans to address this and other healthcare reform issues during a special session in December and January. Stay tuned.
Monday: Correction: We stated yesterday that SB 542 was vetoed but just have learned from the author's office that the Governor signed the final version. It will allow inmates to obtain identification cards prior to release from prison and will also provide funding for recreation supplies and activities. NAMI CA was disappointed that re-entry programs were removed from the bill before it went to the governor.
Please let us know if this improves the information flow and helps you feel/be more involved in NAMI California advocacy.
-- Bettie Reinhardt, MPH
Legislative & Public Policy Consultant
bettie.reinhardt@namicalifornia.org
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Join NAMI Bikes Nov. 10
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 Starting and finishing in beautiful Davis, California, our NAMI Bikes event features three road courses with beautiful panoramic views.
Enjoy the ride of your choice and help fight stigma! All routes are well marked with support of vehicle teams and rest stops conveniently located.
Continental Breakfast and Ride
Check-In opens at 6 a.m., and ride-out times vary according to distance (time listed at point of selection). Enjoy food, music, family entertainment, and more.
Have questions? Email: namibikes@namicalifornia.org.
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California Mental Health Planning Council Update
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The Planning Council is renewing its efforts to increase its memberships. I am asking each of you to please forward this email to your respective stakeholder and provider professional groups so we can repopulate our membership. We have vacancies in each category - direct consumer, family member, consumer related advocate, and professional provider. As always, we strive to have full representation on our Council that reflects the rich diversity of our state's population and geography. So, please distribute this far and wide so we can try to be fully representative of our state. Download the application.
If you would like further information on the Planning Council, visit http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/mh/Pages/MH-PlanningCouncil.aspx
The instructions for submitting are different from what is on the application and the website so please do the following instead: Fax the top sheet of your application to: (916) 651-3922 to the attention of MIchael Dorman (so we know one was sent in) and mail your completed application to:
Michele Taylor
MHSUD Branch/DHCS
1501 Capitol Avenue, MS 4000
P.O. Box 997413
Sacramento, CA 95899-7413
Thank you in advance for your assistance. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
-- Andi Murphy, Deputy Executive Officer California Mental Health Planning Council (916) 651-3806
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Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training Grant Program
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Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a new program, made possible by the Affordable Care Act, which will boost the number of social workers and psychologists who work with Americans in rural areas, military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Through the Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training grant program, $9.8 million is being awarded to 24 graduate social work and psychology schools and programs for three-year grants. The grants will help eligible institutions of higher education - including accredited schools of social work and psychology and accredited psychology internship programs - to recruit students and provide support for clinical training in mental and behavioral health.
"Mental health services are critical for those dealing with posttraumatic stress and other severe problems," Secretary Sebelius said. "Increasing the number and quality of providers to care for these individuals is a major step forward in addressing these challenges."
Mental health conditions are among the top five chronic illnesses in the United States. This program addresses a critical need for more mental and behavioral health providers, especially those trained in trauma and abuse, combat-related stress, substance abuse, and the needs of chronically ill people and their families.
To view awardees, visit http://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2012tables/120925mentalandbehavioral.html. For information on HRSA's health professions programs, visit www.hrsa.gov. To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, visit www.healthcare.gov.
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Family Programs News
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Below are the dates for the Family Programs trainings for the fiscal year:
- November 9-11, Family to Family Teacher Training in Oceanside, CA.
- November 30 - December 2 -Train the Trainer Support Group in Sacramento, CA (This training is for current support group facilitators to be trained as state trainers).
The Family to Family teacher training in Oceanside is right around the corner!! Please let us hear from you soon!
If you would like to volunteer to become a Family to Family teacher or support group leader, please contact your local affiliate. If you are interested in becoming a support group trainer, contact Lynn Cathy at: Lynn.Cathy@namicalifornia.org
Support Group Conference Call
We will be holding a conference call for support groups on Thursday, October 25 at 12 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. All facilitators are invited to participate.
Conference Phone # 1-800-944-8766
Participant Code - #18854
More information regarding this call will be available soon. Please feel free to suggest discussion topics.
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If You Paid for PaxilŽ, You Could Get a Payment from a Class Action Settlement
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A class action settlement will provide money to California residents who were 18 years old or older and who paid for any portion of the price of the prescription antidepressant PaxilŽ while living in California from January 14, 1999 through January 1, 2003, and who qualify under the settlement (these people are called "Class Members"). If you're included, you may ask for a payment, or you can exclude yourself from, or object to, the settlement. The Superior Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles will have a hearing to decide whether to approve the settlement so that payments can be issued. The lawsuit claims that GlaxoSmithKline falsely advertised and promoted PaxilŽ as being non-habit forming or non-addictive and that GlaxoSmithKline's advertisements and promotional materials failed to disclose the risk of symptoms from stopping or discontinuing PaxilŽ. GlaxoSmithKline denies each of these allegations. Click here for details. |
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Contact Information
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Weekly Report
NAMI California
1851 Heritage Lane,
Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: 916-567-0163 Fax: 916-567-1757
www.namicalifornia.org
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