DRAFT BILL : NC DHHS is supposed to figure out why the money is not being spent (!!!)---by Jan 1, 2009

I can tell you why the $$$ are not being spent. Because the BARRIERS to providing care to the state funded clients are INSURMOUNTABLE.

What are the barriers? (as I've said before):
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Smoky Mountain Center LME requires that all therapy move thru Community Support Services.

Why is this a problem? Because anyone who utilizes that as an authorization code must undergo nonpaid, irrelevant training vis a vis NC DHHS.

SMC LME throws all of its state funded clients into Meridian Behavioral Health Services which has as the CEO a retired SMC LME employee, Joe Ferraro.

* Western Highlands Network LME (together the 2 make up 25% of all NC counties) will not authorize more than 8 therapy sessions and then only for PD's and then only if PD people are also accessed group therapy.
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http://www.ncmentalhealthvote.org/pdfs/LOC_Draft_Bill_2008-04-23.pdf

SECTION 1.6. The Department of Health and Human Services shall
17 determine why there have been under- and over-expenditure of State service dollars by
18 LMEs and shall take the action necessary to address the problem. In making its
19 determination the Department shall consult with LMEs and providers. Not later than
20 January 1, 2009, the Department shall report to the House of Representatives
21 Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate
22 Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, the Fiscal Research Division
23 and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental
24 Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services on actions taken to address problem of LME
25 under- and over-expenditure of service dollars.