Advocacy Alert for Washtenaw : Townhall meeting, 2/29/16 at 5:30 pm

This is a last minute notice that came to me by way of Intentional Communities of Washtenaw.

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ADVOCACY ALERT
Town Hall for Education & Advocacy
Monday, February 29th.

This is an urgent message for all of us concerned about persons with developmental disabilities including residents of Intentional Communities. Please read it carefully and take action to oppose the changes that are being proposed including attending the town hall meeting on Monday.

There are some fairly terrifying aspects of the proposed 2017 Michigan budget, specifically Section 298 - which eliminates Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHP's) in our state and puts the money into the HMO's [Medicaid Health Plans].

Michigan is the only state that is completely managed care and has integrated care for persons with mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder services into one system. According to a 2015 Public Sector Consultants report Michigan is pioneering advances in care that is innovative, cost-effective and evidence-based.

However, despite Michigan's many successes in behavioral health care, the FY17 executive budget recommendation includes section 298 of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Budget - a proposed change without any initial research or analysis that would transfer management responsibilities of all Medicaid behavioral health dollars ($3 billion) from the current publicly managed PIHP system to the privately managed Medicaid health plans by the end of FY17. This change would significantly harm an already underfunded system of care for Michigan's most vulnerable citizens.

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health wants to educate our consumers, families, and stakeholders on the proposed changes of Boilerplate 298 and provide materials to help flood our legislator's inboxes and mailboxes with statements and stories on the importance of Mental Health Services.

Please help spread the word about this town hall.
When: February 29, 2016 at 5:30pm
Where: St. Luke Church-4205 Washtenaw Ave.,
Ann Arbor, MI

Questions? Contact Community Mental Health.
Call 734.544.3050 or email customer_service@ewashtenaw.org