Enacts the "behavioral health and long-term care act"

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 Short Title "Behavioral Health and Long Term Care Act".

Section 2 Requires the Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Health, the Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, and the Director of the State Office for the Aging to develop and implement a behavioral health and long-term care plan which must include coordination of provider services and interagency referrals, recommendations for integrating and coordinating federal, state and local funding, recommendations for facilitating research on best practices and model programs, an increase in alternatives to nursing homes, and supports for family caregivers. This bill would also require the plan to create specific actions to be taken, the number of people to be served, measurable phases, and a time schedule. The provisions of this plan must also be included in the statewide comprehensive plan of service for the mentally disabled pursuant to section 5.07 of the Mental Hygiene Law. This bill would require the Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health to submit a report to the Governor, the Temporary President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Assembly by October 1, 2013 and annually until 2021.

Section 3 - Effective Date

Justification

Data from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services indicate that 35% of individuals in nursing homes are clinically depressed and 17% have other psychiatric diagnoses. Similarly, a 2002 study of home health care patients found that 13.7% suffered from major depression and an additional 10.6% suffered from minor depression. Of those with major depression, only 12.3% received adequate treatment. Only 3% of older adults in the community without a chronic physical illness have major depression, however once a chronic physical illness is added that rate jumps to 7%. If the person requires home health care the rate of major depression doubles to 14%, and if the person needs a nursing home the rate doubles again to 30%.

In New York State, individuals receive long-term care through programs offered through one of four state agencies: the Office of Mental Health, the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Health, or the State Office for the Aging. It is uncommon for an individual to receive services from a

staff who has been cross- trained, or by a program that offers mental health services and care for physical health.

It is well known that demographics in New York State are changing. In fact, New York State citizens who are over the age of 65 will double from 35 million to 70 million by 2030. Not only will the need for long- term care increase, but long-term care that offers mental health and substance abuse treatment and is responsive to developmental disabilities will be absolutely necessary. New York State must plan now to meet the multiple needs of this vulnerable population.

Prior legislative history

2011: S.58 - Reported and Committed to Finance/A.4496 - Referred to Health 2010: S.3341A - Reported and Committed to Finance; Amended (T) S.3341C and Recommitted to Finance/A.7027C - Reported Referred to Ways and Means. 2009: S.3341 - Reported and Committed to Finance/A.7027 - Reported Referred to Ways and Means.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

To be determined.

Effective date

Sixty days after enactment.