nami weekly news and calendar
May 28, 2013
Register for the NAMI California 2013 Annual Conference
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August 16 & 17 2013

San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront
1800 Old Bayshore Hwy. 
Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone: 506-474-2009
 

For reservations call toll free: 877-622-3056

To make reservations online, click here.

 

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THIS WEEK
NAMI Can!
Support Veterans After Memorial Day
The NAMI CA History Project Needs You
NAMI CA Programs News
Join The Affiliate Development Workgroup
NAMI Can!

Legislative Action/Opportunities

SB 22, Senator Beall's Parity Bill, and SB 364, Senator Steinberg's LPS Reform Bill, go to full Senate vote this week.

  

SB 585, Senator Steinberg's Clarification of MHSA to include mental health services associated with Laura's Law has moved on to the Assembly.

 

The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee approved Item 0905, State Treasurer's office, that adds funding specifically for crisis services and for developing guidelines for involuntary commitment care and training for Section 5150 purposes.

  

Read the NAMI California positions.

Budget News

A few more notes about the May revision of the governor's budget proposal... 

 

On May 14, Governor Jerry Brown (D) released his 2013-14 May Revision State Budget proposal.  Budget adjustments include plans to pursue a state-based approach for the expansion of Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) for individuals up to 133% FPL. In January, the Governor proposed two options for expanding Medi-Cal: directly enrolling newly eligible Californians in Medi-Cal (the "state-based" approach) or building on counties' existing health care systems (the "county-based" approach). Other notable adjustments include:

  • An additional $1.2 billion in Medi-Cal spending to implement Affordable Care Act provisions;
  • Plans to provide the newly eligible population with the same benefits as individuals already covered by the program;
  • Plans to cover all cost sharing not covered by the federal advance premium tax credits for pregnant women and the newly qualified immigrants present in the state fewer than five years; and,
  • Plans to keep the 10% cut to Medi-Cal provider reimbursements that currently stalled in litigation.

There is still possibility of appeal...

The full US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order this on May 24th that sides with the State's 10% rate reduction for nearly all Medi-Cal providers that was enacted in 2011 (AB 97) but blocked since then by a federal district court order.  The Brown Administration, as 
as part of the 2013-2014 State Budget, intends to implement the 10% reduction retroactive to June 1, 2011.


Covered California (Affordable Care Act Health Benefit Exchange)

Covered California announced Health Insurance Plans that will be sold through the Covered California Marketplace on Thursday, May 23rd. Executive Director Peter Lee stated, "Covered California plans include the largest current health insurers in the individual market, as well as new entrants, regional plans and local Medi-Cal plans that want to be part of making history." On average, there will be five plans from which to choose. Even in rural areas where choice has been historically sparse, there will be two or three health plans. Throughout the state consumers will have a choice of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs).

Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Agency

SAMHSA has appointed Elinore F. McCance-Katz, M.D., as its first-ever Chief Medical Officer (CMO). In this capacity, she will provide medical-scientific expertise to SAMHSA's major behavioral health efforts, including those promoting the prevention of mental illnesses and substance use disorders, as well as the treatment and recovery of people living with these conditions.

 --Bettie Reinhardt, MPH

Legislative and Public Policy Consultant
[email protected]

--David Czarnecki
Advocacy Coordinator
[email protected]

Continue to Support Veterans after Memorial Day
Now that you've enjoyed the Memorial Day observance, NAMI California urges you to remember our brave men and women lost in war, and the more than 20 veterans and active military who die by suicide each day. Among the living, returning from military action, are so many suffering from PTSD. So in honoring our service personnel who were lost or are suffering in life, we pledge to do our part to provide help and hope to those who continue to struggle.

Please consider a donation in their honor to support NAMI programs that assist our veterans and their families affected by mental illness.
The NAMI CA History Project Needs You
Send us your stories, photos, and remembrances.
NAMI California is rounding up members' recollections as part of a larger project to recognize the courageous and dedicated people who created our organization and the movement that it sparked across the nation.

Address your contributions for this effort to:

 

Steven Kite

Deputy Director

1851 Heritage Lane, Suite 150

Sacramento, CA 95815

[email protected]
NAMI CA Programs News

FAMILY PROGRAM TRAININGS

Family to Family Teacher Training - May 31 - June 2, 2013 in Elk Grove, CA (Sacramento County) Status: Training is full, waiting list is available

 

PEER PROGRAMS NEWS

Peer To Peer Trainings Spring 2013
Chico - NEW DATE: 5/31 - 6/2

Ontario - 6/7 - 6/9 (Spanish)

Campbell (San Jose) 6/21-6/23


STIGMA REDUCTION PROGRAMS

IOOV Spring 2013

6/22-6/23 - Ontario, California

 

Send inquiries about IOOV and Peer to Peer to [email protected] 

 

Send inquiries about Family Programs to   

[email protected]
Join The Affiliate Development Workgroup

NAMI California is seeking leadership from our local NAMI Affiliates to provide feedback to determine best practices and delineate duties between all levels of NAMI. Each member of this workgroup will be expected to collaborate, share experiences and give feedback to the NAMI California Board of Directors on how to best achieve these goals.

 

You can make a difference! To apply, complete the attached application and send it, with your bio and resume, to:

Email:[email protected]

Fax: 916-567-1757

or mail to:

Deputy Director

NAMI California

1851 Heritage Lane #150

Sacramento, CA 95815


Contact Us

1851 Heritage Lane, Ste 150
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: 916-567-0163
Fax: 916-567-1757
Email: [email protected]