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At NAMI-CT, we are continuously working to improve public policy for people with serious mental illnesses in Connecticut. Our Public Policy Agenda includes many issues that aim to increase access to treatment and services, and to repair and restore the mental health service system in our state.
Overall, NAMI must remain a leader in moving the adult mental health system to focus on the use of best practices and on a rehabilitation and recovery philosophy, including early intervention. We must work to prevent the criminalization of mental illness, including the incarceration of children and adolescents with serious mental illness in juvenile justice facilities. We must work to assure that children with serious mental health issues and their families have access to services early and over time with no pressure or coercion to commit their children to receive services. And we must work to assure the reinvestment of public funds from Medicaid and savings from more intensive levels of care in community mental health services and prevent their return to the state's general fund. Specific initiatives we continue to work on with the Keep the Promise coalition and with the Partnership for Strong Communities are:
- Adequate funding for a community-based mental health service system and housing options
- A comprehensive community-based children's mental health system
- Adequate treatment and rehabilitation services for children and adults in the criminal justice system; funding for Alternative to Incarceration services which support and sustain an individual with serious mental illness who has been diverted or released from the criminal justice system
- The ten-year plan to end long-term homelessness
- Protection of access and availability of psychiatric medications
- An end to the unnecessary placement of people with mental illnesses in nursing homes; preventing the use of nursing homes as the default provider for people with severe mental illnesses
- No cut-backs to current affordable housing funds, and that the creation of Supportive Housing units and rental subsidies are a priority of the state
- Protection and improvement of Medicare and Medicaid access and coverage for low-income individuals with psychiatric disabilities
- Monitoring and protection of mental health parity in our state's insurance law
NAMI-CT supports the recommendations of the Community Mental Health Cabinet as outlined in the Mental Health Cabinet Report.
Click here to receive action alerts when legislation is pending or to be informed of other important legislative activities and events.
For more information on public policy for children, please visit our Children's Outreach Homepage.
*** ATTENTION! MEDICATION ACCESS CHANGES ***
State Policy Changes Impacting Prescription Drug Access will be implemented over the coming months (most changes will begin from January 1, 2010 - April 1, 2010). These changes impact people on Medicaid (including HUSKY A), State Administered General Assistance (SAGA), ConnPACE and those on Medicare Part D.
If you or someone you know or work with has trouble getting drugs or medication prescribed by their doctor resulting in medication disruption and/or other adverse consequences, please contact NAMI-CT (Alicia, Amy or Dara) or Keep the Promise Coalition (Cheri or Maura) at (800) 215-3021 to report it.
It is critical that we document any harm resulting from these restrictive policies. Problems at the pharmacy may include: 1) The program won't pay for the drug and the person does not have the moeny to cover the cost; 2) The pharmacy tells them their doctor has to ask for prior authorization; and 3) The patient does not have the money for the co-pay (only applies to people on both Medicare and Medicaid).
Please join us in our effort to document medication disruptions and humanize the harm and cost of creating barriers to needed treatment.
Check out our Legislative Priorities for 2009!
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? Contact NAMI-CT
FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR
 Keep the Promise Coalition
The Keep the Promise Coalition (KTP), located at the NAMI-CT office, is a statewide grassroots advocacy coalition founded in 1999 during the mental health crisis in Connecticut that followed the closure of two large state hospitals. Coalition members meet monthly and also participate during the legislative session by testifying, signing up others to testify, getting basic mental health messages into the media, and holding Candidate Forums and legislative breakfasts in their own communities. KTP also offers a number of advocacy trainings throughout the year.
For More Information or to Join KTP, go to www.ctkeepthepromise.org or contact:
Cheri Bragg, KTP Coordinator, at 1-800-215-3021 or email at keepthepromise@namict.org
Maura Sheil-Hughes, KTP Assistant Coordinator, at 1-800-215-3021 or email at KTPassistant@namict.org
Check out the Connecticut Network of Care Website!
http://connecticut.networkofcare.org
The Network of Care for Behavioral Health website is a new resource for individuals, families, and agencies concerned with mental health.
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Connecticut, Inc
Advocacy