Geriatric Mental Health Alliance News
A monthly newsletter to brief you on issues important to geriatric mental health
July 06, 2009 - Vol 3, Issue 6
July 06, 2009 - Vol 3, Issue 6
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Update on Behavioral Health and Long-term Care Act
NYC Council Restores GMH Initiative at $2.4 million
The NYC Council has restored funding for the Geriatric Mental Health Initiative at $2.4 million. This funding allows 24 agencies to enhance mental health services for older adults in non-traditional settings such as in the home, senior centers, or NORCs.
During the budget negotiations, GMHA participated in a briefing and press conference convened by Council Member G. Oliver Koppell, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services. At the briefing, providers presented to City Council members and their staff about the benefits and importance of the Initiative and advocated for the City Council to restore funding in Fiscal Year 2010.
Thank you to the Council for their continued support of this most important initiative.
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2008 GMHCD Planning Council Annual Report
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UHF Report on Integration for People with Serious Mental Illness
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Other Upcoming Events
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New NYS Law Regarding Powers of Attorney
Update on Behavioral Health and Long-term Care Act
Despite support from over 125 agencies, the Behavioral Health and Long-term Care Act will not pass this year. The bill was introduced in both the Assembly and the Senate and was voted out of the Mental Health and Aging Committees. Given the turmoil in Albany, we did not anticipate that it would pass this year. We will be working over the coming months to line up support for next year.
NYC Council Restores GMH Initiative at $2.4 million
The NYC Council has restored funding for the Geriatric Mental Health Initiative at $2.4 million. This funding allows 24 agencies to enhance mental health services for older adults in non-traditional settings such as in the home, senior centers, or NORCs.
During the budget negotiations, GMHA participated in a briefing and press conference convened by Council Member G. Oliver Koppell, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services. At the briefing, providers presented to City Council members and their staff about the benefits and importance of the Initiative and advocated for the City Council to restore funding in Fiscal Year 2010.
Thank you to the Council for their continued support of this most important initiative.
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2008 GMHCD Planning Council Annual Report
The 2008 Annual Report to the Governor and Legislature of NYS on Geriatric Mental Health and Chemical Dependence highlights activities from the past year, provides updates on the service demonstration projects, and outlines future planning efforts. To read the report, click here.
On June 11, 2009, The Council held its quarterly meeting where there were presentations on the OMH clinic restructuring initiative, the Medicare optimization project, and the Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT) program for substance use problems. To view an archive of he webcast, click here.
On June 11, 2009, The Council held its quarterly meeting where there were presentations on the OMH clinic restructuring initiative, the Medicare optimization project, and the Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT) program for substance use problems. To view an archive of he webcast, click here.
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UHF Report on Integration for People with Serious Mental Illness
The United Hospital Fund's Medicaid Institute recently released a report entitled Providing Behavioral Health Services to Medicaid Managed Care Enrollees which concludes that Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic physical conditions and serious and persistent mental illness do better when physical and mental health services are integrated. The report offers recommendations for improving care and reducing exacerbations of illness that often result in avoidable utilization of high-cost services.
To download the report, click here.
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Other Upcoming Events
July 8, 2009 - Medicaid and National Health Reform The United Hospital Fund will hold a conference to address issues regarding Medicaid. Topics include Medicaid's role in national health reform, the impact of national health reform on New York, the future of Medicaid in New York, and integrating behavioral health under Medicaid. Speakers include James Tallon, Deborah Bachrach, Jo Ivey Bufford, Bruce Vladeck, and others. Michael Friedman will make a presentation regarding behavioral health and long- term care. The conference will take place from 8:30 to 4:30 at the CUNY Graduate Center at 365 Fifth Avenue.
July 12-14, 2009 - CHCANYS Region II Conference The conference will include presentations by Richard Daines, MD, Commissioner of Health; Deborah Bachrach, NYS Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Health Insurance Programs; and Jacki Leifer of Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP. The conference is hosted by CHCANYS and held in collaboration with the New Jersey Primary Care Association, Asociacion de Salud Primaria de Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Health Centers. Themed Community Health Centers-Yes We Can! , this 3-day event will be held at the Hilton Rye Town Hotel in Rye Brook, New York. Registration, hotel and sponsor/exhibit information are available by clicking here.
October 29, 2009 - SAVE THE DATE - The Greater New York Chapter of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers Annual Conference The theme is CAREMANAGING IN AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN with keynote speaker, DR. Robert N. Butler, Founder, President and CEO of the International Longevity Center. The conference will take place from 8:30-4:30 at The Roosevelt Hotel, 45th St. & Madison Ave., NYC.
More Information available in the coming months: NY Chapter Website - www.nygcm.org NY GCM Voice Message - 212-222-9163
July 12-14, 2009 - CHCANYS Region II Conference The conference will include presentations by Richard Daines, MD, Commissioner of Health; Deborah Bachrach, NYS Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Health Insurance Programs; and Jacki Leifer of Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP. The conference is hosted by CHCANYS and held in collaboration with the New Jersey Primary Care Association, Asociacion de Salud Primaria de Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Health Centers. Themed Community Health Centers-Yes We Can! , this 3-day event will be held at the Hilton Rye Town Hotel in Rye Brook, New York. Registration, hotel and sponsor/exhibit information are available by clicking here.
October 29, 2009 - SAVE THE DATE - The Greater New York Chapter of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers Annual Conference The theme is CAREMANAGING IN AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN with keynote speaker, DR. Robert N. Butler, Founder, President and CEO of the International Longevity Center. The conference will take place from 8:30-4:30 at The Roosevelt Hotel, 45th St. & Madison Ave., NYC.
More Information available in the coming months: NY Chapter Website - www.nygcm.org NY GCM Voice Message - 212-222-9163
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New NYS Law Regarding Powers of Attorney
New requirements regarding powers of attorney go into effect on September 1, 2009. We are grateful to Martin Petroff, of Martin Petroff & Associates who has provided GMHA with a short piece regarding these important changes. To read the article, click here.
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Archive of GMHA Newsletters
Archive of GMHA Newsletters
If you're looking for a previous edition of the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance's Newsletters, please don't hestitate to contact Yusyin at yhsin@mhaofnyc.org.
