Medicaid Waiver: Health Lawyers Speak Up RE: Medicaid Waivers across the US

From: Marsha V. Hammond, PhD  Clinical / Health Psychology  NC Licensed Psychologist
cell: 828 772 1127 e mail: chomskysright@gmail.com 
TO: Mark H. Gallant  [mgallant@cozen.com]  Cozen O'Connor  1900 Market Street  Philadelphia, PA 19103  (215) 665-4136

RE: Medicaid Waiver 1915bc in NC Which Only Attends to Mental Health Management

Date: July 11, 2012

Dear Mr. Gallant:

Thank you for the information included here: MEDICAID MANAGED CARE:
STATUTORY STANDARDS, PROVIDER NETWORK ACCESS AND COVERAGE OBLIGATIONS, AND HOT BUTTONCONTRACT ISSUES. (http://www.healthlawyers.org/Events/Programs/Materials/Documents/MM10/gallant.pdf)

I looked over the lawsuits which are briefly outlined at the end of your pdf. Here is my question: How is it that a state, the state being NC, can utilize a Medicaid Waiver, for Mental Health ONLY? There is no Medicaid Waiver associated with Medicaid, in general-----only as associated with mental health authorities or LME's/ MCO's, as they are termed in NC.

It seems to me blatant discrimination as associated with that population, specifically, the MH/ SA/ DD population which is commonly associated with disabled people.
I would appreciate speaking to you about this matter at your earliest convenience. I called your office and left a message.
Thank you.

Marsha V. Hammond, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, NC