Healthcare – Page 5

Outcome-Based Reimbursement for Drug Rehab

Drug Overdose Treatment

Problem

Narcan, or naloxone, is a powerful opioid antagonist used by first responders to treat those experiencing an opioid overdose. Medical professionals tell us that when an individual experiencing a drug overdose wakes up from narcan administration, they think they are okay. However, they are not medically stable. We understand from medical professionals, including Knoxville Tennessee EMS that they have to return to the same person they just treated due to the fact that they have stopped breathing. It is a temporary reversal and further medical intervention is critical.

Solution

This bill represents the new best practice when administering narcan. As the opioid epidemic rages on, narcan will only increase in usage. If someone is treated with narcan, this bill requires that they should be taken to the hospital to ensure they are okay and to prevent yet another opioid overdose fatality. At the end of the day, this bill is about acknowledging what we know about the science around drug overdose treatment.

Healthy Minds Network

Problem

The creation of the Healthy Minds Network brought together regional Mental Health stakeholders to address the recidivism rate among respondents who had been involuntarily committed to the Mental Health system. This healthcare crisis brought together law enforcement leaders, mental health practitioners, judges, and county commissioners who met to discuss, plan, and act on local solutions regarding a statewide problem.

Solution

One of our solutions was to start a Post Incarceration program to help respondents acclimate themselves into society once they’ve been released from treatment. Housing, job, medical, personal matters were addressed and a case worker was brought on to implement a follow up program. In the first year the Probate Court saw a drop in repeat consumers. This was done along with a public relations campaign that continues to destigmatize and decriminalize this illness.

PTSD Coverage for First Responders

Problem

There is an epidemic of first responders committing suicide in this country. This bill seeks to change the way that we deal with PTSD among them and remove the barriers to them seeking treatment. Additionally, when a peace officer is voluntarily committed for psychiatric help, their service weapon is taken away and they are not able to receive it back for six months – this prevents them from doing their job and earning a living and acts as an additional barrier to seeking help.

Solution

The legislation established eligibility requirements for police officers, fire fighters and parole officers to receive benefits for PTSD. The benefits are limited to 52 weeks available within a four year period from the qualifying event. The workers compensation benefits are decreased by any additional benefits that the individual is receiving (e.g. disability insurance). Allows law enforcement officers to receive their service weapon back before six months if they have been voluntarily committed to a psychiatric institution.

Pediatric Behavioral Health Navigation program #telehealthhelpskids

Problem

1 in 5 children aged 0-18 has a diagnosable mental disorder. 1 in 10 youth has a serious mental health problem that is severe enough to impair their function at home, in school, or in the community. Stress experienced by children exposed to hurricanes and other natural disasters can have lasting impacts on mental wellness, particularly children in remote, rural areas. A significant number of children and families have been negatively impacted by Hurricane Michael and are in need of behavioral/mental health navigation services if they are to maximize intervention benefits, reduce risk, and increase the overall quality of their lives. A severe lack of providers in the area makes it difficult for families to access these critical services.

Solution

Providing a centralized entry point dedicated to assuring high-quality and culturally competent behavioral health services to youth aged 0 to 21 years old living in a hurricane impacted county. Using technology, the Pediatric Behavioral Health Navigation program provides access to a comprehensive range of diagnostic and treatment services for children and adolescents with psychiatric and developmental disorders including specialized evaluations for youth from birth to 21 years, evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, and disruptive behaviors, psychopharmacological evaluation and management, psychodynamic psychotherapy, parenting skills workshops, individual school consultation, and case management services and coordination.

Sober Homes Task Force

Problem

The opioid crisis has been devastating to local, state and national communities. Unfortunately, many stakeholders operate in a vacuum, lacking communication and cooperation. Opportunities to positively impact the crisis may remain unknown to legislators, law enforcement, medical societies, treatment providers and the public at large. The void created by disjointed action can actually serve to perpetuate the inefficiencies, fraud and abuse that currently plague our current system of treating opioid use disorder. The problems of patient brokering and insurance fraud, which have plagued the rehab industry, has spread throughout the country. In response, Palm Beach County’s Sober Homes Task Force provides a national model for success.

Solution

There are many honest, effective providers in the addiction arena that are working tirelessly toward the goal of reducing drug dependency and overdose deaths. Combining these forces with elected leaders, patient advocates and others will develop innovative ideas and legislative proposals that will provide law enforcement and regulators with the proper tools to reduce fraud and abuse in the treatment industry. Two task forces — law enforcement and civilian — working toward the common goal of protecting those with substance use disorder and holding accountable corrupted providers will bring clarity, oversight and needed change to a complex and inefficient treatment system. As a result, lives will be saved and taxpayer funds safeguarded.

Community Empowerment Against Addiction

NewDEAL Leader West Virginia Senator John Unger’s GRaCE program is continuing to bring high school students into the fight against addiction. GRaCE, or Greater Recovery and Community Empowerment, trains students and other community members to become addiction mentors and recovery coaches, as well as for other roles that can offer hope for those struggling with addiction. Read more about the program, which just launched its latest iteration of Recovery Coach Academy, which will train over 50 students over four weeks.

NewDEAL Leaders taking action on the Gun Crisis

Below are ten examples of the many ways NewDEAL members are working to make progress. NewDEAL urges leaders across the country to follow these example while also recognizing that federal action is desperately needed. We must not to let this moment pass without taking serious action to prevent gun violence.

Columbia, SC Mayor Steve Benjamin is working to allow police to take away guns when the courts deem someone “an extreme risk”.
Mayor John Cranley in Cincinnati is pushing for gun safety measures in his city by suing the state over a law prohibiting city action on gun reform.
Pennsylvania Auditor General Euguene DePasquale rallied in support of an “Extreme Risk Protection bill” to allow police and family members to petition a judge to restrict a person’s ability to possess firearms.
The first bill Florida Representative Margaret Good filed in the 2019 Legislative Session was to regulate the transfer of firearms through background checks. (HB 135)
Representing a district which President Trump won with 80% of the vote has not stopped Kentucky Representative Chris Harris from championing responsible gun reform in the wake of the Parkland shooting. His efforts include legislation to stop the Kentucky State Police from auctioning confiscated guns.
Georgia State Senator Jen Jordan took action to prevent domestic abusers from possessing guns. (SB 472)
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced funding to target straw purchases of guns and educate women about the dangers of the practice, recognizing that 80% of straw purchasers are women.
The New Jersey Governor signed Senator Troy Singleton’s bill to make it a crime to solicit the transfer of a firearm by a disqualified person.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, is trying to make his city safer by calling for a gun ban in city buildings and parks.
Connecticut Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey sponsored legislation that banned guns without serial numbers, therefor putting an end to “ghost guns” in Connecticut. (HB 7219)

Supporting Pregnant and Post-Partum Women Serving Time

NewDEAL Leader Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer successfully championed the approval of $500,000 in grants to provide comprehensive services for pregnant women and new mothers serving time in jail. The grants will fund the work of two long-standing nonprofits, which will provide counseling, parenting skills, drug treatment, job placement, and medical care for the women and their very young children. Learn more about the grants, which will help mothers and babies lead healthy and productive lives.

Outcome-Based Reimbursement for Drug Rehab

Drug Overdose Treatment

Problem

Solution

Healthy Minds Network

Problem

Solution

PTSD Coverage for First Responders

Problem

Solution

Pediatric Behavioral Health Navigation program #telehealthhelpskids

Problem

Solution

Sober Homes Task Force

Problem

Solution

Community Empowerment Against Addiction

NewDEAL Leaders taking action on the Gun Crisis

Supporting Pregnant and Post-Partum Women Serving Time

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