This page links to state legislative letters and alerts, state budget letters and alerts, and other relevant state advocacy documents.
State Legislative Letters
Issue Briefs
AB 3632: Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education and Act (IDEA)
- CSAC Affiliates Letter to Budget Conference Committee, "Support LAO May Revision Alternative Proposal Regarding the Handicapped and Disabled Students Program (AB 3632)" (June 29, 2010) (PDF 29 KB)
- Legislative Analyst’s Office, “AB 3632 Program Funding: 1999-99 through 2008-09” (June 14, 2010) (PDF 49 KB)
- Legislative Analyst's Office, "AB 3632 Mental Health Services: Presentation to the Conference Committee on the Budget" (June 9, 2010) (PDF 221 KB)
- CMHDA Memo to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee: "Governor’s FY 2010-11 May Revise: AB 3632 Special Education Mental Health Services" (Updated: May 26, 2010) (PDF 171 KB)
- AB 3632 Policy Issues (November 2009) (PDF 37 KB)
- CMHDA Memo to Members, "Budget Issues Related to State Funding of the AB 3632 Program"
(July 17, 2009) (PDF 103 KB)
- AB 3632 Model County Letter (July 2009) (Word 33 KB)
- AB 3632 Funding Matrix Template (July 2009) (PDF 16 KB)
- CMHDA Memo to Members re: AB 3632 Legal Options (June 26, 2009) (PDF 113 KB)
- LAO Analysis of May Revision: DMH AB 3632 Program (June 2009) (PDF 23 KB)
- US Department of Education - IDEA Website (Link)
Corrections
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT)
Healthy Families Program
Medicaid
A significant percentage of consumers who utilize California's county mental health services are enrolled in the federal Medicaid program. Medicaid is administered by states (called Medi-Cal in California), and each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services (within federal regulatory paramaters and guidelines.)
The state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the "single state agency" designated by the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) to administer the Medi-Cal specialty mental health managed care program, which in turn contracts with county mental health authorities to manage and provide mental health services to eligible beneficiaries.
- Issues and Priorities
- Medicaid Rehabilitation Option
- Advocacy Organizations
- Regulatory Agencies
MediCare
A significant percentage of California consumers who utilize California's county mental health services are eligible for or enrolled in the federal Medicare health insurance program.
In addition to administering the health insurance program for individuals, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) also administers and regulates the practice of various health care providers, including California county mental health department providers that bill for Medicare services.
- Background Information on Medicare
Medicare is the federal health insurance program that offers health care coverage to individuals who qualify for Social Security and: have reached retirement age (age 65 years or older); are under 65 years of age and have a disability; or have End-Stage Renal Disease. There are four types of Medicare health care coverage:
- Part A, Hospital Insurance;
- Part B, Medical Insurance;
- Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans, which allow beneficiaries to choose to receive all of their health care services through a provider organization such as an HMO. (Note: Individuals must have both Parts A and B to enroll in Part C);
- Part D, Prescription Drug Coverage. (Link)
- Regulatory Issues
- CMHDA Resources
- Other Advocacy Organizations Monitoring CMS' Medicare Regulations
- Agencies
Medi-Cal Managed Care
Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)
Veterans' Mental Health
For More Information
- Patricia Ryan, MPA – Executive Director
Contact for state budget issues, information pertaining to federal issues and the federal budget, and Association matters.
pryan@cmhda.org
- Don Kingdon, PhD – Deputy Director & Small Counties Liaison
Contact for Medi-Cal, small county, and other regulatory issues.
dkingdon@cmhda.org
- Kirsten Barlow, MSW – Associate Director, Legislation & Public Policy
Contact for state legislation and public policy issues, or information pertaining to Medicare Part D. .
kbarlow@cmhda.org