Legislative Update
 
PUBLIC POLICY
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ADVOCACY UPDATE

 

January 5, 2015                                                                                

Because there is no health without Mental Health!

Public Policy Update

January 5, 2015

 

On Monday, January 12, 2015, a new legislative session will begin. The session runs in a two year cycle, and 2015 is the first year of the new cycle. This means that there are no bills pending from last year - all proposed legislation starts anew.

The session, which consists of 40 legislative days, often runs into April. This year, both the House and the Senate have many new freshmen, allowing for new relationships and new allies for mental health.

Although MHA of Georgia has a projected legislative agenda, bills are often introduced by other organizations and Departments which MHA of Georgia may or may not support. As new bills are dropped, they will be reviewed by the MHA of Georgia legislative committee and the Director of Public Policy to determine support or opposition.

Importantly, MHA of Georgia supports the Recovery movement for people with lived experience and works at the session to move that agenda.

TENTATIVE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR 2015:

  • The Coverage Gap (Medicaid Expansion) continues to be a priority. If legislation were passed in favor of closing the coverage gap, those who would be covered include: families of 4 earning between $7,000 & $23,000 per year, individuals earning less than $11,500 per year, working parents, veterans, and low wage workers. Approximately 400,000 people in Georgia fall into the coverage gap, many of whom have a diagnosed mental illness.
     

  • Psychiatric Advanced Directives will be back for another year. This will be the 7th year that this legislative priority has been discussed. Psychiatric advanced directives provide an opportunity for the voice of a person with lived experience to direct his/her care should he/she fall into crisis.

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and related disorders continue to be a challenge for families, schools and the young people identified as having ADHD. Approximately 11% of school-age children have a diagnosis of ADHD. It is imperative that this disorder receives the proper treatment and understanding, beyond just medication. Since children with ADHD have a limited capacity for paying attention, the most basic skills, such as reading, are impacted.  

  • Out of Pocket Cost (Specialty Tier Medications) continues to be an important issue, as major insurance companies look at shifting the cost of more expensive medications into a "specialty tier." Once placed in a specialty tier, these medications become out of reach for most Georgians due to extremely high co-pays. MHA of Georgia supports a moratorium while legislators study both the costs and the effects of these specialty tiers.

  • School Based Services for children with mental health disorders and the segregation of these students need to be reviewed.

  • Annual Suicide Prevention education in our schools is necessary to help prevent further suicides and attempted suicides. Presently, suicide has become the leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 10 and 24.

     

Mental Health America of Georgia works with many organizations to help improve the lives of Georgia's citizens. Along with our partners, we work to eliminate stigma and discrimination for all people with a diagnosis of a mental illness.

Please join us this year to help bring about the best legislative policies.

Go to www.mhageorgia.org to sign up to receive all of MHA of Georgia's program newsletters and Advocacy Updates (during the session, these updates are distributed on a weekly basis).

Mental Health Day at the Capitol is Tuesday, January 20th !

Come out to support recovery!!

Click here for your registration form. 

TAKE A PROACTIVE STAND!

 

What's the best way to make your voice heard?  Have you been to the Capitol lately?  Being there, seeing your legislator in action or speaking with them directly is the best way to advocate on behalf of our public mental health system. 

 

If you would like to learn more about how to set up your visit and what to do when you are there, please contact Ellyn at 678-904-1965.  She'll be glad to walk you through the process.

We need your help to move our advocacy voice forward!

 

MHA of GA is a leader in the mental health advocacy community. You can learn more on our website, www.mhageorgia.org.
 

 

Your donation will help ensure that MHA of GA continues to keep mental health awareness in front of Georgia's legislators. This is a critical time for our community, and now is the time to act!!

 

Click here to support mental health advocacy in the state of Georgia.