Ohio will receive $151 million in additional federal stimulus funds to offset state spending on prescription drugs for the Medicaid population. The funds will come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the federal stimulus bill and helps the states by increasing Federal Medical Assistance Percentage payments, which is the federal share of Medicaid costs. States will therefore have to pay less to the federal government for what are referred to as “clawback payments” that a state pays to offset the added expense to Medicare Part D of assuming drug costs for residents who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. The ARRA boost was not accounted for among the FMAP stimulus aid already budgeted by Ohio for the current biennium, so the relief can serve as an offset to the a current budget gap. Ohio’s clawback payments of $581,726,147 will be therefore be reduced to $430,246,974, according to HHS.
$151 Million To Ohio For Drug CostsFebruary 26th, 2010President Releases Health Reform ProposalFebruary 25th, 2010President Obama has issued his health reform proposal in advance of a February 25th health reform summit. The proposal is said to have merged some concepts from the previous House and Senate bills. The proposal also includes a provision giving the federal government some oversight regarding insurance industry premium rate increases. To view the President’s proposal, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting/proposal. The summit will begin at 10:00 a.m. today and will be streamed live at WhiteHouse.gov/live. Eating Disorders Awareness WeekFebruary 21st, 2010What Are Eating Disorders? According to the National Institute of Mental Health an eating disorder is marked by extremes. It is present when a person experiences severe disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme reduction of food intake or extreme overeating, or feelings of extreme distress or concern about body weight or shape. The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Eating disorders frequently appear during adolescence or young adulthood, but some reports indicate that they can develop during childhood or later in adulthood. Women and girls are much more likely than males to develop an eating disorder. Men and boys account for an estimated 5 to 15 percent of patients with anorexia or bulimia and an estimated 35 percent of those with binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders are real, treatable medical illnesses with complex underlying psychological and biological causes. They frequently co-exist with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, or anxiety disorders.
For more information on eating disorders go to the National Institute of Mental Health at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml
Cheri L. Walter THE FEBRUARY BLUESFebruary 15th, 2010It’s been a long cold snowy February and we still have half of it to go! In-fact, as I write this article we face another Winter Storm Warning. It seems like every year I get a case of the February blues, I just need the sun and spring. For me it’s annoying and I suppose at worst it makes me irritable and cranky (just ask my staff), but for some folks the blues can become much more serious and turn into seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and/or a more serious depression. So if you or someone you know is having a rough time this winter you’re not alone. If the symptoms are serious, seek help as there are many ways to address SAD and/or depression. If your more like me, take heart spring is only little more than a month away.
Cheri L. Walter State Revenues Dip into the RedFebruary 15th, 2010The second half of fiscal year 2010 got off to a bad start for the state, with personal income taxes dropping against estimates by nearly $140 million, or 15.6%. That puts the year-to-date total state revenue shortfall at approximately $99.6 million or 1.1 percent below estimates through the end of January. This is the first time that revenues have fallen below estimates after the state dramatically lowered its revenue expectations. The Office of Budget and Management does not yet have an explanation, but says the decline is not across all revenue sources. All eyes will be on April, the crucial month for gauging income tax collections. It remains to be seen whether the January numbers are an indication that the state’s budget problems may continue. Proposed DSM RevisionsFebruary 12th, 2010The American Psychiatric Association unveiled dozens of proposals for changing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM. The DSM is used to diagnose patients and insurance companies use it to decide on reimbursement, so it is very important to professionals, government, doctors, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and advocacy groups. The proposals released today will be debated, with a public comment period between now and April 20. A final version of the DSM is expected to be released by May 2013. The last complete revision was in 1994. To read the proposal, visit http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx. Lack of Release Plan for Mentally Ill Subject of New LawsuitFebruary 11th, 2010A class action lawsuit was filed yesterday in federal court that faults the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Ohio Department of Mental Health for releasing prisoners with serious mental illness without links to necessary follow-up care. The lawsuit claims that this inadequate release process violates the Americans with Disability Act, as well as state laws and the U.S. Constitution. Reforms sought in the lawsuit would link prisoners with serious mental illness to mental health treatment, housing, and other resources to keep this vulnerable group from returning to the criminal justice system. To learn more, visit www.ohiojpc.org PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSEFebruary 8th, 2010According to a February 7th article in the Columbus Dispatch the illegal prescription drug trade is becoming an epidemic in Ohio. This story is very consistent with the OF-1-MIND Opinions and Attitudes survey released last month by the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities. This survey shows that 22% of Ohioans believe that prescription drugs are the most serious drug problem in their community, second only to alcohol (38%). We should all note that the two drug problems that were identified as being the most problematic in Ohio are, in most cases, legal. As America continues to spend more and more money trying to fight the drug war, enforce drug laws and incarcerate drug offenders we may want to take another look at our priorities. To date, the drug war has done a great deal to eradicate street drugs, but not enough to decrease drug-use. We are seeing more and more people switching from street drugs to prescription drugs which are often more accessible. What we need to be focusing our efforts and money on, is alcohol and drug abuse prevention, education and treatment. TREATMENT WORKS AND PEOPLE RECOVER. To see the entire Columbus Dispatch article, please visit: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/07/OXYCONTIN.ART_ART_02-07-10_A1_HGGH7K4.html?sid=101 To learn more about OF-1-MIND and the Opinions and Attitude survey go to: Have a great week!
Cheri L. Walter |
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