Press Release from Coalition supporting Patient Protection Legislation

Read the press release from Assemblyman Rivera and the coalition of patient advocacy groups supporting the passage of the A3287/S5646 Legislation that would create patient protections.  NAMI-NYS’s Executive Director is quoted in the release.

Memos of Support Urging Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to Support the Increase to the Federal Mental Health Block Grant

Read NAMI-NYS's memos of support asking New York's Senators to sign onto Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow's "Dear Colleague" letter that urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide a $14 million increase to the Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) for FY 2012.

Written Comments for Medicaid Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Meeting

Read NAMI-NYS’s written comments to coincide with our testimony to the Medicaid Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Meeting on June 16th. The P&T committee will decide what medications will receive “preferred status.”   NAMI-NYS will advocate that all atypical antipsychotic medications should be given preferred status.

Memo of Support for Bills A8237/S5646 Which Would Mandate Patient Protections

NAMI-NYS’s memo of support for Assembly Bill A8237 and Senate Bill S5646.  These bills would mandate provider prevails allowing doctors to choose which medications they feel is appropriate for patients receiving Medicaid services.

New York State Gets “B” for Mental Health Care

State Budget Cuts Threaten Score

• NYS Report Card
• Full GTS'09 report
• Full Narrative (PDF)
• Detailed NY Score Card (PDF)

Albany, New York--The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) issued a national report card in 2009 that gives New York State a B grade for its public mental health care system. However, immediate action is needed to protect the state’s investment in mental health.

“We commend the state for scoring a B, but it is essential that we hold on to what we have in these difficult times or we will pay the price with increased homelessness and incarceration, as well as overflowing emergency rooms,” said Janet Susin, Vice President of NAMI-New York State.  “We are already experiencing cuts in services since last year when the data for the report was gathered.”

The report is a follow-up to a NAMI report published in 2006 to measure the progress of states in achieving the goals of a presidential commission that called for transformation of the mental health care system—which too often is fragmented, outmoded and inadequate.

In the previous NAMI report, New York State received a grade of U (no information reported).  This year, New York is one of six states that received a B, reflecting its use of evidence-based practices such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT Teams) and peer run programs and services. The national average is D, remaining stagnant from three years ago.  No state got an A.

“Indeed, the report rewards New York State for passing mental health insurance parity when this law, called Timothy’s Law, is, in fact, due to expire at the end of this year.  It is vital that the law be made permanent or this significant progress will be lost,” said Trix Niernberger, Executive Director, NAMI-NYS.

“The report highlights New York State’s need for acute care and first responder training,” said Don Adamowski, President of NAMI-NYS. Just three New York communities have trained their first responders to work with persons with mental illnesses. In other cities, we see our loved ones shot or arrested when police do not understand mental illnesses. We would love to partner with the State to increase the number of communities with specially trained law enforcement.”

The report is based on 65 criteria, including access to medication, housing and family education. It contains policy recommendations for federal and state leaders. State governments provided most of the information to determine the grades

Memo of Support

To: Assemblyman, Felix Ortiz, Chair, Assembly Mental Health Committee
CC: Assembly Mental Health Committee Members
From: National Alliance on Mental Illness, New York State (NAMI-NYS)
Re: Assembly Bill A6987-The Enhanced Version of Kendra’s Law
Date: May 24, 2011

Chairman Ortiz,

The National Alliance on Mental Illness-New York State (NAMI-NYS) supports Assembly Bill A6987, introduced by Assemblywoman Gunther, which would enhance the assisted outpatient treatment program known as Kendra’s Law.

NAMI-NYS represents New York’s families who have loved ones living with mental illness. A major concern we hear almost daily from families around the state is: what can be done when their loved ones stop taking their prescribed medication and reject treatment? Sometimes, our families are helpless once their loved ones begin to decompensate due to noncompliance with treatment. They fear the potential tragic results that could occur as their loved one’s mental illness sometimes makes them a danger to themselves and others.

The enhanced version of Kendra’s Law would close some of the loopholes that exist as the law is currently constituted. The new bill will require mental- health officials to examine the records of those with mental illness who are being released from the criminal justice system and those discharged from hospitals and treatment facilities who have demonstrated past behavior that can be considered a danger to them or others, to determine if they need court- ordered treatment. The bill would also require officials to investigate when concerned families provide credible information that a loved one is mentally ill and in need of treatment to prevent deterioration.

NAMI-NYS asks you to listen to the concerned pleas from families who love their relatives with mental illness and only wish to maintain their well-being and safety, by supporting bill A6987 and improving Kendra’s Law.

Memo of Support

To: Senator, Roy McDonald, Chair, Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee
CC: Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee Members
From: National Alliance on Mental Illness, New York State (NAMI-NYS)
Re: Senate Bill S4884-The Enhanced Version of Kendra’s Law
Date: May 24, 2011

Chairman McDonald,

The National Alliance on Mental Illness-New York State (NAMI-NYS) supports Senate Bill S4884, introduced by Senator Young, which would enhance the assisted outpatient treatment program known as Kendra’s Law.

NAMI-NYS represents New York’s families who have loved ones living with mental illness. A major concern we hear almost daily from families around the state is: what can be done when their loved ones stop taking their prescribed medication and reject treatment? Sometimes, our families are helpless once their loved ones begin to decompensate due to noncompliance with treatment. They fear the potential tragic results that could occur as their loved one’s mental illness sometimes makes them a danger to themselves and others.

The enhanced version of Kendra’s Law would close some of the loopholes that exist as the law is currently constituted. The new bill will require mental-health officials to examine the records of those with mental illness who are being released from the criminal justice system and those discharged from hospitals and treatment facilities who have demonstrated past behavior that can be considered a danger to them or others, to determine if they need court-ordered treatment. The bill would also require officials to investigate when concerned families provide credible information that a loved one is mentally ill and in need of treatment to prevent deterioration.

NAMI-NYS asks you to listen to the concerned pleas from families who love their relatives with mental illness and only wish to maintain their well-being and safety, by supporting bill S4884 and improving Kendra’s Law.