IJC on Health & Welfare - June

Health and Welfare The IJC on Health and Welfare met on Monday afternoon and with a full agenda. You can access the agenda and all meeting materials HERE. CHFS Deputy Secretary Putnam shared that the Cabinet is in the process of seeking an amendment to the Medicaid state plan that will allow for payment of qualifying physical and mental health services in schools. If the amendment is approved Medicaid will be able to reimburse for medically necessary services provided to any Medicaid enrolled child when available to all children at no charge. School districts will be able to leverage federal funding to increase school-based health services, such as comprehensive health screenings, mental health services, diabetes and asthma management. KY Youth Advocates have assisted in this effort and this new program is a tool the state can utilize in helping fund the initiatives passed in SB 1 this past session relating to school safety measures. If the federal government approves the amendment, school districts can begin billing for Medicaid-eligible services/students in August. The committee also heard updates on several programs established through grant awards. Additionally representatives from the Lexington Policy and Fire departments presented on the benefits of crisis intervention teams and their community paramedicine unit. The Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention presented alongside the Executive Director of the Homelessness and Housing Coalition of KY to discuss the impact of mental health on homelessness and efforts that are underway to address these growing problems across the Commonwealth. The meeting materials contain information on other items discussed during this interim committee meeting.