NAMI Ohio’s Quest to Ensure Access to Mental Health Medications
By Betsy Johnson
We partnered
with pharmaceutical
companies.
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention Association of OhioAmerican Academy of Pediatrics - Ohio Chapter
Buckeye Art Therapy Association, Inc.Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Ohio
District 1199 SEIU - AFL/CIOFamily Service Council of Ohio
US Psychiatric Rehabilitation AssociationMental Health Advocacy Coalition
Mental Health America Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence
NAMI OhioNational Association of Social Workers - Ohio Chapter
Ohio Advocates for Mental HealthOhio Alcohol and Drug Policy Alliance
Ohio Ambulatory Behavioral Healthcare AssociationOhio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities
Ohio Association of Child Caring AgenciesOhio Association of Residential Recovery ServicesOhio Citizen Advocates for Chemical Dependency
Prevention and TreatmentOhio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Providers
Ohio Counseling AssociationOhio Federation for Children's Mental HealthOhio Mental Health Counselors Association
Ohio Nurses AssociationOhio Psychiatric Association
Ohio Psychological AssociationOhio School Psychologists Association
Ohio State Medical AssociationOhio Suicide Prevention Foundation
Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio
We partnered with the
Coalition for Healthy
Communities and created the
Access to Medication
Crisis Committee.
We asked for money and were
able to secure $60,000.
We agreed on a theme.
We agreed on the language to include in the O.R.C.
We agreed on a strategy.• Develop and disseminate brochure
• Develop and widely distribute a brochure.
• Provide advocacy training for consumer and family members
• Organize a “Day at the Statehouse” for advocates to meet with their legislators
• Enlist a small group of NAMI members to host events in legislative districts of key lawmakers
• Hold a Press Conference
• Hold a Call-In Day to the Governor
We developed a brochure.
We hosted a training across the street
from the Statehouse.
NAMI members visited their respective legislators.
We dropped off packets and medicine bottles to all legislators.
We borrowed 3 virtual hallucination
machines from Janssen and set them up at the entrance of the
Statehouse.
NAMI Affiliates hosted local events.
NAMI Ohio Executive Director, Jim Mauro, and other advocates testified before the House and Senate
Finance Committees.
We engaged the Media.
• Wrote letters to the editor.
• Invited media to attend local events.
• Held a press conference in the Statehouse.
We ran into hurdles.
• Coalition members concerned about interference with budget message.
• Pharmaceutical companies viewed as big business by key staffers in new Administration.
• ODJFS estimated provision would cost $47 million largely due to Risperdal going generic and Invega coming on the market.
• Throughout the process there has been a looming concern that Governor Strickland will veto the language.
We’re overcoming the hurdles one at a time. Only one or two to go!
• House included a provision in it’s version of the budget.
• Senate included provision in it’s version of the budget.
• Conference Committee scheduled to meet week of June 18th. Both Houses to vote on final package.
• Bill goes to the Governor. Will he sign?
Stay tuned.
To find out how the story ends, next week, go to:
www.namiohio.com
Questions?
.