Future of dual-eligible demonstrations questioned due to low enrollment 

The dual-eligible demonstrations were modeled in part on work by the New York City-based CenterLight (file photo) to coordinate care for beneficiaries.

 

There are growing worries about the future of an ambitious federal demonstration aimed at improving coordination of care for millions of low-income and disabled Americans who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.

Health plan leaders and state officials expressed concern during a webinar event on April 16 that current federal-state demonstrations in 11 states may not yield the cost savings the Obama administration and the states hoped for - at least in the projected time frame.     

Related: More FIDA opt-outs than opt-ins  

Nearly 3 Years After Adding Full-Time Psychiatric Services, Syracuse University is Still Assessing Best Way to Meet Student Needs

Slade, a junior illustration and women's and gender studies dual major, had spent about four hours waiting to see a psychiatrist at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center. She visited the Syracuse University Counseling Center earlier that day when the anxiety medication her hometown psychiatrist had prescribed her stopped working. Her panic attacks had returned and Slade said she began to experience suicidal ideation. Read more.   

Michael Botticelli, head of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, offering greetings at a Baltimore treatment center.

BALTIMORE - Six recovering substance abusers sat in an inner-city treatment center, sharing their stories. When Michael's turn came around, he spoke of his former drug of choice, alcohol, and mentioned the night years ago when he drove drunk on the Massachusetts Turnpike, caused an accident and was arrested before passing out.

Michael then pulled out a picture of a friend's brother who recently died from mixing prescription painkillers with alcohol. He described his grief and visceral connection with the struggles of substance abusers in recovery.  "You are my people," he said, wiping one eye.  Read more.

The adults most likely to use mental health services in the past year (17.1%) were in the group reporting two or more races. This group was followed by white adults (16.6%), American Indian or Alaska Native adults (15.6%), followed by black (8.6), Hispanic (7.3) and Asian (4.9%) adults.  Read more.