Our Priority:

To require insurers to submit behavioral health care denial data to the relevant departments (i.e., DCH, Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner) for parity compliance analysis, in order to ensure that behavioral health treatments are being covered to the same extent as physical health

Where We Stand:

This priority was partially addressed by Senate Bill 80 (Kirkpatrick-32^nd), which was approved by the Governor. SB 80 requires insurers (including those entering into contracts with the Department of Community Health or care management organizations) to make prior authorization requirements readily accessible on their website and requires clinical criteria on which an adverse determination is based to be provided to healthcare providers at the time of the notification. It also disallows the requirement of prior authorization for emergency healthcare services.

Our Priority:

Department of Community Health make permanent current COVID-19 flexibilities of telehealth policies

Where We Stand:

This priority was partially addressed by House Bill 307 (Cooper-43^rd), which now awaits the Governor’s signature, authorizes health care providers to provide telemedicine services from home and patients to receive telemedicine services from their home, workplace, or school and provides clarity regarding insurance billing of such services.

Our Priority:

Add funding for DBHDD’s Georgia Apex Program

Where We Stand:

In the FY22 budget, the Georgia General Assembly added $2 million to expand the Georgia Apex Program to 59 additional schools.

Our Priority:

Add start-up funding for school-based health centers via FQHCs

Where We Stand:

These monies were not added in the AFY21 or FY22 budgets, although funding was added for two federally qualified health center start-up grants in Jeff Davis County and Marion County (not specific to school-based health).

Our Priority:

Restore Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities funding for child and adolescent mental health services lost in FY21

Where We Stand:

In the FY22 budget, DBHDD received monies for mental health and suicide prevention training in schools and a youth suicide prevention specialist. Further, the agency received more than $45 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for both adult and child and adolescent mental health services. (See Voices’ breakdown of all federal American Rescue Plan Act funds per agency and division here.)

Our Priority:

Apply for federal waivers and implement all flexibilities and federal funding opportunities made available during the pandemic to support food access

Where We Stand:

Georgia DFCS has applied for the second round of Pandemic EBT, a benefit available for children who receive free or reduced price lunch in school via the National School Lunch Program.

Our Priority:

Keep families safely and stably housed by supporting legislation for a written notice and seven-day “right to cure,” or period in which to address the issue (e.g., non-payment), before a landlord may file for eviction

Where We Stand:

Unfortunately, House Bill 408 (Cooper-43^rd) did not make it out of the House Judiciary Committee this year, though it remains viable for passage next year. HB 408 revises dispossessory procedures to require a written notice be provided to the tenant stating the amount past due or other basis for demand for possession of the property, and requires that the tenant be provided an opportunity to cure, or resolve the issue causing the initiation of the dispossessory (e.g., non-payment), within seven days of receipt of the notice.

Positively:

• • Congress allocated $27 billion in federal emergency rental assistance funding via the American Rescue Plan Act to go to states and local governments to assist those in need. (See Voices’ breakdown of supports for children and families in the American Rescue Plan Act here.)
  • The House passed HR 52, a bill establishing a House Study Committee on Childhood Lead Exposure.