Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services’ Post

Encouraging Medicaid budget action in Michigan to expand funding for community behavioral health, infant and maternal health, autism care and SUD, among others. Highlights from Michigan DoH's 2025 budget released yesterday include: $161.5m to establish new Community Behavioral Health Clinics $40m for FQHCs $38m for Child Caring Institutions $25m for SUD treatment, including $8.3m for Medicaid reimbursement for hospital-based peer recovery specialists' services. $20m for innovative community-based approaches for expectant mums and newborns $17.2m for increased Medicaid rates for autism care https://lnkd.in/exU_G5-i

As the New York State Legislature begins the process of one house budget development, eliminating managed long term care plans could be a way to save the state money. Former budget director, Paul Francis, offers an independent perspective on this approach. Take a look at his insights. #NYStateBudget #ManagedCarePlans #BudgetDevelopment

For the “Summer 2023 Special Issue: Healthy Aging in Arizona,” we put the subject to the healthcare experts around the theme Opportunities for the Senior Healthcare System. In our eighth article, “The Time is Now: Create an Estate Plan Today,” attorney Kent Phelps, a co-founder of Trajan Estate in Arizona and Utah, and the founder of Estate Lawyers PLLC, offers his thoughts on the importance of estate planning. Phelps shares his decades-long experience in estate planning and the importance of creating a legacy for loved ones. He concludes: The answer to the question, “What should I do about my estate now for the benefits of loved ones tomorrow?” is “Begin the plan.” You can access our Summer Special Issue here https://lnkd.in/edm4UwW5 From the NYT "Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care." The United States has no coherent system for providing long-term care, leading many who are aging to struggle to stay independent or to rely on a patchwork of solutions. https://lnkd.in/gBb7nSsc

The following statement was released by PEF President Wayne Spence on Jan. 19, 2024: “After serving the residents of Brooklyn for more than 100 years with distinction, SUNY Downstate is once again facing a financial crisis. I heard the news from SUNY Chancellor John King on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. He advised me that this “transformation” plan would result in all the PEF members who work at Downstate – about 400 nurses and other healthcare professionals – working at a new “public” wing of the Kings County Medical Center across the street. Downstate has been underfunded for years even though it serves a vulnerable community in Brooklyn. Despite ongoing advocacy for more funding, the hospital was never prioritized in past budgets even as private hospitals secured billions in tax dollars to meet their shortfalls. The hospital is connected to the only state medical school educating doctors and nurses of color, yet it was starved of resources. The institution’s current financial woes and infrastructure problems are a direct result of more than a decade of neglect by the previous governor. This so-called “transformation” proposal is not currently in writing for review by stakeholders. Unions like PEF, the staff who work at Downstate, or the community the hospital serves were not asked for their input. But PEF will not stand by and allow this important public decision to be made without PEF weighing in. Our members are public servants dedicated to delivering services to their communities, and they deserve better. If the state is serious about “transforming” Downstate and creating a plan with long-term viability, it should start by engaging all stakeholders and asking the Department of Health to release its feasibility study on healthcare disparities and access in Brooklyn. A real dialogue about the future of Downstate should start now! As information becomes available, I will be in direct contact with PEF members at SUNY Downstate.” https://lnkd.in/eM9iBw3S

Check out BUI’s August Newsletter! Learn about an upcoming CE webinar opportunity, how to build flexibility into an estate plan, elder care shortages, and more! https://lnkd.in/gRHbj73F  #insuranceagent #lifeinsuranceagent #financialplanning #wealthmanagement #lifeinsurance 

For the “Summer 2023 Special Issue: Healthy Aging in Arizona,” we put the subject to the healthcare experts around the theme Opportunities for the Senior Healthcare System. In our eighth article, “The Time is Now: Create an Estate Plan Today,” attorney Kent Phelps, a co-founder of Trajan Estate in Arizona and Utah, and the founder of Estate Lawyers PLLC, offers his thoughts on the importance of estate planning. Phelps shares his decades-long experience in estate planning and the importance of creating a legacy for loved ones. He concludes: The answer to the question, “What should I do about my estate now for the benefits of loved ones tomorrow?” is “Begin the plan.” You can access our Summer Special Issue here https://lnkd.in/eES4Zavm From the NYT "Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care." The United States has no coherent system for providing long-term care, leading many who are aging to struggle to stay independent or to rely on a patchwork of solutions. https://lnkd.in/gHuZGgiC

New Year message from Michelle O'Neill As we enter 2024, I remain absolutely determined to lead a new Executive  as First Minister for All. Regardless of who you are, or where you come from, I see it as my duty as First Minister Elect to fully represent you, your family, and community. And despite the recent political setback at the Hillsborough Talks when the DUP rolled back from joining the rest of us to form an Executive, we must focus once again on overcoming this in the New Year. Negotiations between the DUP and British Government on the Windsor Framework are concluded.   It is time for the DUP to make a decision.   It's time to move forward in lock-step, ensuring people have the Assembly and government they deserve.   And to ensure your quality of life and the opportunities, dreams and ambitions of your children and grandchildren can be realised. Families and workers right across our society share a vision of a new future for our politics. People deserve all parties working together to support workers and families through these challenging times. And to seize the enormous economic opportunities ahead to attract investment, create new jobs, and to better all our people’s lives, no matter your background. We urgently need a new Assembly that works at pace to deliver a fair pay rise for our healthcare staff, teachers, and public sector workers. That tackles crippling health waiting lists that have left people without hope, and in pain. And that ensures people with special educational needs and their families have access to properly funded, first-class support services. We need an Executive back in place that listens to the voices of young people, families, and workers. We owe it to our young people to make that progress happen.  To build opportunities for everyone. To build a future we can all be proud of.  A future shaped by progress and prosperity. For you, for your children and grandchildren. A better future, together. In 2024, I will continue to work for all, and tirelessly chart that path of progress and prosperity.

Explore the findings from a new Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) report which help to understand the impact of medical debt on Missourians’ lives. Focus groups were conducted by SSRS. Read the full report:

Protecting loved ones with special needs requires careful planning to ensure financial security upon the death of primary caregivers as well as setting specific goals to address the needs of the individual so that they can be successful in the future. My recent article outlines tips on how to create a comprehensive Special Needs Plan. I discuss the function of Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) and highlight the distinction between First and Third Party Trusts and their pivotal role in maintaining eligibility for government benefits like SSI and Medicaid. I also share how to: 👉 name the right guardian 👉 select an appropriate trustee 👉 draft a comprehensive Letter of Intent all of which are essential for ensuring that a special needs loved one's needs are met without compromising their independence. My article offers a detailed guide to navigating these complex waters. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/42s5CIh And if you're seeking personalized guidance for a special needs family member or client, Team Legacy is here to help. Book a discovery call with us: https://buff.ly/3OnQciN

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a new, much lower cost estimate for the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community-Based Services Act, S.141/H.R. 542. The new cost is $200 million over ten years, significantly lower than the initial score of $24 billion. In addition, the bill now specifically recognizes ALS Veterans being eligible to exceed the existing 65% cap on home care. This is a huge win for Veterans with ALS and everyone in the community who has been advocating for this bill, who knew the initial score was much too high and worked to correct it. We are incredibly hopeful that the new, lower cost will remove previous barriers to getting this bipartisan bill passed and signed into law. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ermapKud