DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES POLICIES
How Pete Buttigieg would tackle the #mentalhealth and addiction crisis
#Democratic presidential #candidate #PeteButtigieg on Friday unveiled a plan to bolster #mentalhealth and addiction services his campaign estimates would cost about $300 billion to coincide with a campaign stop in Manchester, New Hampshire — a state hit hard by the opioid crisis.
The wide-ranging plan,which includes $100 billion in grants, calls for integrating treatment into primary care settings, increasing the number of available treatment beds, making it easier for patients to get access to medication for opioid addiction, investing in #suicideprevention for #veterans and addressing disparities in behavioral health care.
#JamesDonaldsononMentalHealth –
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
“For years, #politicians in Washington have claimed to prioritize #mentalhealth care while slashing funding for treatment and ignoring America’s growing addiction and #mentalhealthcrisis,” Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., said in a statement. “That neglect must end. Our plan breaks down the barriers around #mentalhealth and builds up a sense of belonging that will help millions of suffering Americans heal.”
#Buttigieg says his plan will ensure at least 75 percent of people who need treatment receive care. About 11 percent of the 21.7 million people who needed substance use treatment over the course of a year receive it, according to federal figures from 2015.
#PeteButtigieg is selling himself as a leader for the next generation of Democrats.
See where he stands on all the issues »
What would the plan do?
Beyond adding resources, the plan attempts to address the public health effects of #isolation and #loneliness.
The plan would beef up the behavioral health workforce by increasing reimbursement rates and making health workers’ loan repayment programs more generous, specifically for those in rural, underserved areas. It also aims to increase access to opioid addiction treatment and inpatient care at psychiatric facilities.
#Buttigieg would invest more in #veteran #suicide programs and create a three-digit suicide hotline. His plan also calls for more #mentalhealth workers in schools and increased investments in early intervention programs.
How would it work?
The plan would provide $100 billion in grants over 10 years to communities for prevention and care integration. It proposes expanding access to inpatient treatment by repealing a decades-old Medicaid law that prohibits reimbursements for patients in residential treatment facilities with more than 16 beds. The Obama and Trump administration have taken steps to allow states to work around the restriction. Buttigieg’s plan would completely repeal it.
The plan would deregulate buprenorphine, one of three FDA-approved medication-assisted treatments for opioid addiction, to increase access to that drug. Prescribers, under federal law, can only prescribe the medication to a limited number of patients. #Buttigieg’s plan requires all private insurers and Medicare and Medicaid to cover all three forms of medication-assisted treatment. It also prioritizes research to develop treatments for other drug addictions, like methamphetamine. It would also create national standards for addiction care.
What are the weaknesses in the proposal?
It’s unclear how #Buttigieg plans to pay for the plan, which not only provides $100 billion in grants, but includes many proposals like increasing provider reimbursement rates and repealing a Medicaid law, that would come with a hefty price tag. Fiscal conservatives have balked at similar proposals.
It’s also unclear how #Buttigieg plans to further enforce federal parity laws and require private insurance plans to cover all three forms of medication assisted treatment.
What have other Democrats proposed?
Sens. #ElizabethWarren and #AmyKlobuchar have both proposed $100 billion plans to combat addiction and address #mentalhealthissues.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
