This is the first of two stories that took Taylor Knopf about a year to research, report and write (with a lot of other steps in between) based on reports from former employees at a psych hospital in Eastern NC. northcarolinahealthnews.org/2024/05/06/for… Really proud to publish them (part 2 tomoro)

🚨 The latest from Asheville Watchdog on Mission Hospital in Asheville. 🚨

“Do actions align with the words? There is no parity if there is no equity”

If we want to address #socialdeterminantsofhealth we have to address the issue of equity, says Victor Armstrong, MSW at the #mentalhealthlegislativebreakfast

Now up, presentation of Paul Leubke Legislative Champion, this year goes to dcarrlamb who shepherded #Medicaidexpansion bill through #ncga for years
#medicaid #mentalhealthlegislativebreakfast

Kinsley getting standing ovation from audience that has many providers. #mentalhealthlegislativebreakfast

Kinsley notes also recent allocations of $7.5M to help DSS’s develop solutions so that kids don’t sleep in county offices.
“This system has been underfunded forever” calls on legislators to continue funding #behavioralhealth beyond the big $$$ that came last year.
#mentalhealth

Says that rate increases for #behavioralhealth providers need to be sustained. Despite $$$ from #ncga there’s still critical need for RNs, direct care workers, behavioral health providers

Kinsley also noting that after a year, #988 now has had >100,000 calls , a 31% increase over the old number.
#Mentalhealthlegislativebreakfast
#mentalhealth #NorthCarolina

Sec. Secretary Kody Kinsley speaking at breakfast and announcing that as of Thursday, 344k North Carolinians now have expanded #medicaid #medicaid expansion
Only launched on Dec 1.

At this year’s event