News from around the state

Wisconsin Office of Healthcare Reform Web Site

Through national health insurance reform, coverage will be extended to more than 32 million Americans, and more than 125,000 Wisconsin residents. Millions of people and small businesses right here in Wisconsin could see reduced health care costs and better coverage.
These reforms provide real benefits that will help real people. And Wisconsin has been recognized by the national media as a state that is ideally situated to implement reform.

The reason for this is simple: when national health insurance reform is fully implemented much of the country will look like Wisconsin does today. See Executive Order regarding health care reform.

To access the Health Care Reform Web site Click Here.

Election News
Special thanks to all the voting delegates at Convention and those that submitted absentee ballots. As a grassroots organization, NAMI values your participation in this important process.
We want to thank all the candidates for offering themselves in service to NAMI. We are pleased to announce that Moe Armstrong (Connecticut), Linda Jensen (Nebraska), Clarence Jordan (Tennessee), Ron Morton (Tennessee), Clarice Raichel (Louisiana) and Kevin Sullivan (Connecticut) were elected by the Affiliates and State Organizations to serve on the NAMI Board. In addition, the Consumer Council elected Michael Weaver (North Carolina) to serve on the Board. At the Convention's annual business meeting we recognized and thanked those members who are leaving the Board: Stephen H. Feinstein (Kansas, president), Marty Raaymakers (Michigan, Consumer Council Director), Joe Mucenski (Arizona) and Graham Champion (Alabama).
Both bylaws amendments were approved with more than 95 percent of the vote. The first amendment expands NAMI's non-discrimination assurances; the second amendment empowers the Board to make vacancy appointments to the Board. A revised version of the bylaws is posted at NAMI Bylaws.
At its early morning meeting on July 3, the NAMI Board elected officers for the 201011 Board year:
" PresidentKevin Sullivan;
" First Vice PresidentKeris Myrick;
" Second Vice PresidentSheila Amdur;
" SecretaryCarol Caruso;
" TreasurerGuyla Daley.

Protect the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity ActCongressman Paul Tonko (D N.Y.) has circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter in the House of Representatives, which he will be sending to the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury, urging the agencies to reject the health insurance industry's argument that mental illnesses cannot be treated like physical ailments. The letter also calls for preserving the strong interim final rules (IFR) for insurance companies implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) regulations.
NAMI urges you to contact your Representative and ask him or her to protect the MHPAEA and sign on to this letter and preserve the IFR. Advocates can reach their Representative by calling (800) 828-0498.
Click here to read more about parity and view Rep. Tonko's letter.

Help Save Medicaid Match Rate Extension from DefeatGrassroots Advocacy is Crucial!On Wednesday, June 16, the U.S. Senate voted against extending higher federal Medicaid match rates (known as FMAP) through June 2011.
Another effort to pass the Jobs Extension Package, which includes the FMAP extension, is expected at any time . The outcome of this vote is crucial to protecting Medicaid services for children and adults with mental illnesses.
NAMI urges you to call your Senators now to support the restoration of Medicaid FMAP funds into the Jobs and Tax Extenders Package. All Senate offices can be reached toll-free by calling (877) 210-5351 or (877) 442-6801 or through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. You can also send a message to your Senators and House member via NAMI's Legislative Action Center

Legislative Update - Take Action
This week, The Senate will begin work on a new version of the Jobs and Tax Extenders legislative package that passed the House of May 28. The bill, known as the American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act (HR 4213), includes a provision that would extend each state's federal Medicaid match rate (known as FMAP) through June 2011. Without this extension, many states will very likely cut funding for Medicaid, which is the most important source of funding of public mental health services. The extended Medicaid FMAP was removed from the House bill, so getting it passed in the Senate is of particular importance.

The Senate bill also includes $1.065 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF), a critical investment in development of rental housing for extremely low-income households (including people with serious mental illness living on SSI).

Take Action

Call your Senators now to support restoration of Medicaid FMAP funds into the Jobs and Tax Extenders Package. All Senate offices can be reached toll-free by calling 877-210-5351 or 877-442-6801 or through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Or, you can e-mail a message to your Senators.

Urge your Senators to support the new version of HR 4213 and not to remove or weaken the Medicaid FMAP extension.