NASW-NC was a member of the Coalition that worked with Rep. Alexander on the Banning of Corporal Punishment in the Public Schools (HB 873 SB 874). Our School Social Work Practice Unit Chair & 2007 Advocate of the Year, Dr. Gary Shaffer, professor at the UNC School of Social Work has recently had an article published in the NASW School Social Work Practice Section Newsletter. Congratulations to Dr. Shaffer!
Even though our up hill efforts were, in the end, in vain, with members like Dr. Shaffer & legislative leadership like Rep. Alexander on our team we will certainly come back and win in the future!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
NASW-NC to testify before the County Commissioners in Guilford County
NASW-NC along with the NC School Social Work Association will be testifying on behalf of Guilford County School Social Workers tomorrow night.
In the county budget negotiations, it was decided, primarily by the superintendent, Dr. Grier, that 40 positions would be cut. The school system asked the county for just over $11 million in funding and received some $8 million. The difference would be made up in slashing prevention programs and support positions in school social work.
It is the position of NASW-NC and the NC School Social Work Association that this is poor public policy. This cut will have dramatic effects on the infrastructure of an already over burdened county. Teachers and other personnel will have to make up for the loss of these professionals.
Perhaps, the county commissioners will see differently during the hearing tomorrow. Calls and requests to meet with the Superintendent have gone unanswered.
In the county budget negotiations, it was decided, primarily by the superintendent, Dr. Grier, that 40 positions would be cut. The school system asked the county for just over $11 million in funding and received some $8 million. The difference would be made up in slashing prevention programs and support positions in school social work.
It is the position of NASW-NC and the NC School Social Work Association that this is poor public policy. This cut will have dramatic effects on the infrastructure of an already over burdened county. Teachers and other personnel will have to make up for the loss of these professionals.
Perhaps, the county commissioners will see differently during the hearing tomorrow. Calls and requests to meet with the Superintendent have gone unanswered.
Session in final days
NASW-NC has learned that yesterday the Speaker of the House announced that committee meetings will be coming to an end on July 28, 2007. This means the session is at an end. Expect the final days of the sesison to be chaotic and unpredictable. Stay tuned!
Session in final days
It was announced by Speaker Hackney in the House that committee meetings will conclude by July 28, 2007. We are in the final days of the session for this year. Stay tuned for updates...
Monday, July 16, 2007
Nuts & Bolts of the Parity Bill
For those who have not seen the bill, here are some nuts & bolts on what the parity bill is all about.
AT LAST AFTER 15 YEARS FINAL HOUSE VOTE IS 114-2 As Rep. Martha Alexander said when addressing the House this afternoon, “This is another historic day in North Carolina – just as it was on May 23, 2007 when this body passed the first mental health parity bill in North Carolina’s history. We are on the verge of ending discrimination in insurance coverage for North Carolina’s citizens with mental illness.” Shortly after those remarks, and several supportive remarks from both sides of the aisle, the House voted 114-2 to concur in the Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill 973. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.
WHAT THE FINAL BILL DOES 1. HB 973 covers all group plans. 2. HB 973 covers 9 diagnoses at full parity – bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, paranoid and other psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, anorexia nervosa and bulimia. 3. HB 973 covers all other mental illness diagnoses at financial parity – meaning deductibles, coinsurance factors, co-payments, maximum out-of-pocket as well as annual and lifetime limits must be the same as for physical illnesses. 4. Mental illness diagnoses not included in the 9 listed above may have different durational limits, but the minimum benefit required must provide for: Thirty (30) combined inpatient and outpatient days per year and Thirty (30) office visits per year 5. It law becomes effective July 1, 2008.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The bill goes to the Governor for signature. There is no indication that the Governor would not sign the bill. His staff have told us they support the mental health parity effort.
WATCH FOR FUTURE UPDATES AND ACTION STEPS.
Prepared by Sally Cameron NC Psychological Association July 12, 2007
AT LAST AFTER 15 YEARS FINAL HOUSE VOTE IS 114-2 As Rep. Martha Alexander said when addressing the House this afternoon, “This is another historic day in North Carolina – just as it was on May 23, 2007 when this body passed the first mental health parity bill in North Carolina’s history. We are on the verge of ending discrimination in insurance coverage for North Carolina’s citizens with mental illness.” Shortly after those remarks, and several supportive remarks from both sides of the aisle, the House voted 114-2 to concur in the Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill 973. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.
WHAT THE FINAL BILL DOES 1. HB 973 covers all group plans. 2. HB 973 covers 9 diagnoses at full parity – bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, paranoid and other psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, anorexia nervosa and bulimia. 3. HB 973 covers all other mental illness diagnoses at financial parity – meaning deductibles, coinsurance factors, co-payments, maximum out-of-pocket as well as annual and lifetime limits must be the same as for physical illnesses. 4. Mental illness diagnoses not included in the 9 listed above may have different durational limits, but the minimum benefit required must provide for: Thirty (30) combined inpatient and outpatient days per year and Thirty (30) office visits per year 5. It law becomes effective July 1, 2008.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The bill goes to the Governor for signature. There is no indication that the Governor would not sign the bill. His staff have told us they support the mental health parity effort.
WATCH FOR FUTURE UPDATES AND ACTION STEPS.
Prepared by Sally Cameron NC Psychological Association July 12, 2007
Updates from our friends at the NC ACLU
HB 274/ SB 1358 Street Gang Prevention Act
The Senate version of this bill was voted out of Judiciary II last week after the committee made a number of changes which substantially improved the bill. The bill still threatens important civil liberties interests including due process and the rights to expression and free association. This week SB 1358 was heard in Appropriations where the Fiscal staff estimated the minimum start-up costs for the bill to be roughly $25 million and costs each year following that would start at approximately $5 million and increase in each following year. The bill was not voted on and committee members indicated that they were unclear where the money would come from since it is not in the current version of the budget, which the House and Senate continue to negotiate. The House JIII subcommittee had another meeting this week to hear the public’s final thoughts on HB 274. They have promised a number of changes and we expect the bill to be voted out to the full Judiciary III committee in the next week or so. The promised changes do not address a number of our concerns. Please call the members of House JIII and ask them to vote against this bill. The members of JIII are:
(all numbers are 919 area code and all emails are @ncleg.net)
Rep. Sutton rons@ncelg.net 919-715-0875
Daughtry leod 733-5605
Faison billf 715-3019
Warren rayw 715-8361
Almond davida 733-5908
Cotham triciac 715-0706
Fisher susanf 715-2013
Haire philliph 715-3005
Jeffus maggiej 733-5191
Lewis davidl 715-3015
Michaux mickeym 715-2528
Tillis thomt 733-5828
Underhill aliceu 733-5853
Walend trudiw 715-4466
Wiley lauraw 733-5877
To find out who represents you, got to http://www.ncleg.net/homePage.pl
HB 1020 Rights of Ex-Offenders
Our felon re-enfranchisement bill is scheduled to be heard on Monday, July 16th at 5 pm in the Senate Select Committee on Government and Election Reform. This bill would include a pamphlet explaining an ex-felons voting rights and a voter registration form in the release packet of each ex-felon when s/he is released from prison. This bill will help educate thousands of North Carolinians on their already existing right to vote. We hope to get this bill through the Senate and send it to the Governor’s desk by the end of next week. To help, contact your Senator and encourage him or her to support this bill because studies show that encouraging civic participation by ex-offenders aids in the rehabilitative process.
To find out who your Senator is, go to http://www.ncleg.net/homePage.pl
Good Bills Going to the Governor’s Desk:
HB 91 Registration and Voting at One-Stop Sites: This bill allows voters to register and vote at the same time during the early voting period up to three days before the general election day. Despite attempts by opponents to insert an English-only provision and photo ID requirements, the bill went to the Governor’s desk without these provisions. It was signed into law by the Governor on July 12th.
SB 753 Disability History and Awareness Month: This bill requires that schools implement a program by which children are taught about disability and will help to combat the prejudice and stigma often associated with being disabled. This bill was voted out of the Senate earlier in the week and the House passed it on July 12th so now all it needs is the Governor’s signature.
SB 1466 Migrant Housing Health/Safety: This bill sets up minimum health and safety standard that migrant worker housing must meet. The bill was passed by the Senate earlier this week and the House on July 12th. Minor changes have been made in the House, with which the Senate must concur. Once that happens, this bill, which help protect the rights of all workers, but especially immigrant workers in North Carolina, will head to the Governor’s desk.
The Senate version of this bill was voted out of Judiciary II last week after the committee made a number of changes which substantially improved the bill. The bill still threatens important civil liberties interests including due process and the rights to expression and free association. This week SB 1358 was heard in Appropriations where the Fiscal staff estimated the minimum start-up costs for the bill to be roughly $25 million and costs each year following that would start at approximately $5 million and increase in each following year. The bill was not voted on and committee members indicated that they were unclear where the money would come from since it is not in the current version of the budget, which the House and Senate continue to negotiate. The House JIII subcommittee had another meeting this week to hear the public’s final thoughts on HB 274. They have promised a number of changes and we expect the bill to be voted out to the full Judiciary III committee in the next week or so. The promised changes do not address a number of our concerns. Please call the members of House JIII and ask them to vote against this bill. The members of JIII are:
(all numbers are 919 area code and all emails are @ncleg.net)
Rep. Sutton rons@ncelg.net 919-715-0875
Daughtry leod 733-5605
Faison billf 715-3019
Warren rayw 715-8361
Almond davida 733-5908
Cotham triciac 715-0706
Fisher susanf 715-2013
Haire philliph 715-3005
Jeffus maggiej 733-5191
Lewis davidl 715-3015
Michaux mickeym 715-2528
Tillis thomt 733-5828
Underhill aliceu 733-5853
Walend trudiw 715-4466
Wiley lauraw 733-5877
To find out who represents you, got to http://www.ncleg.net/homePage.pl
HB 1020 Rights of Ex-Offenders
Our felon re-enfranchisement bill is scheduled to be heard on Monday, July 16th at 5 pm in the Senate Select Committee on Government and Election Reform. This bill would include a pamphlet explaining an ex-felons voting rights and a voter registration form in the release packet of each ex-felon when s/he is released from prison. This bill will help educate thousands of North Carolinians on their already existing right to vote. We hope to get this bill through the Senate and send it to the Governor’s desk by the end of next week. To help, contact your Senator and encourage him or her to support this bill because studies show that encouraging civic participation by ex-offenders aids in the rehabilitative process.
To find out who your Senator is, go to http://www.ncleg.net/homePage.pl
Good Bills Going to the Governor’s Desk:
HB 91 Registration and Voting at One-Stop Sites: This bill allows voters to register and vote at the same time during the early voting period up to three days before the general election day. Despite attempts by opponents to insert an English-only provision and photo ID requirements, the bill went to the Governor’s desk without these provisions. It was signed into law by the Governor on July 12th.
SB 753 Disability History and Awareness Month: This bill requires that schools implement a program by which children are taught about disability and will help to combat the prejudice and stigma often associated with being disabled. This bill was voted out of the Senate earlier in the week and the House passed it on July 12th so now all it needs is the Governor’s signature.
SB 1466 Migrant Housing Health/Safety: This bill sets up minimum health and safety standard that migrant worker housing must meet. The bill was passed by the Senate earlier this week and the House on July 12th. Minor changes have been made in the House, with which the Senate must concur. Once that happens, this bill, which help protect the rights of all workers, but especially immigrant workers in North Carolina, will head to the Governor’s desk.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
MH Parity Vote Today in Concurrence
The concurrence, or agreement of a passed House and passed Senate bill, happens today. This will then, if passed, send the bill to the Gov. Easley for his signature.
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