‌ ‌

NAMI TN Urges people to #Vote4MentalHealth on Election Day On Tuesday, Nov. 6 th - only days away - Americans will go to the polls, determining the future of mental health care across the nation. Mental health advocates in Tennessee have an opportunity to elect legislative champions who are comm itted to maintaining protections for people with pre-existing conditions, improving and expanding behavioral health services, and finally achieving Medicaid expansion. Many elections, especially local elections, are won by small percentages, so every vote is important- including yours! Find your polling place here: https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/ Pledge to #Vote4MentalHealth at vote4mentalhealth.org

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments for the Division of TennCare's work requirements waiver proposal. Read NAMI TN's submission urging TennCare to withdraw the proposal here .

Expansion of "junk" plans threatens to carve up the individual market, mental health parity Open Enrollment for 2019 runs from Nov. 1 - Dec.15, 2018. 

New federal rules allow for the expansion substandard health plans exempt from pre-existing condition protections and that do not have to comply with mental health parity. Read about the lawsuit NAMI and others have filed against the short-term, limited duration plan final rule here With federal rules weakened and the lawsuit pending, states should act to protect against short-term health plans. In several states, policymakers have already acted to set their own limits and consumer protections for short-term plans. Others are in the process of doing so, and all should consider taking a ction.

Open Enrollment for health insurance coverage on the Federally Facilitated Marketplace began on Nov.1. Tennesseans have until December 15 to apply or re-enroll in coverage for the 2019 calendar year. As you're considering what plan to purchase, look carefully at the formulary, the provider network, and be sure it protects pre-existing conditions. New plans out this year (short-term limited duration plans) won't! Contact the Tennessee Department of Commerce and & Insurance with questions about Open Enrollment and to learn how they're addressing the expansion of short-term plans.

#Vote4MentalHealth in Tennessee NAMI has launched   www.vote4mentalhealth.org   to provide tools for NAMI State Organizations and local affiliates to engage candidates and voters around important mental health issues during the midterms and beyond. At this website you’ll find resources that include: Questions to ask candidates Sample #Vote4MentalHealth tweets and posts for social media Voter registration links and resources Information on voting rights in each state Tools to talk to candidates about mental health Strategies for mobilizing mental health voters Questions about   #Vote4MentalHealth or NAMI TN advocacy more generally? Email Jake Coffey, NAMI TN’s Director of Advocacy and Planning, at jcoffey@namitn.org   or (615) 361-6608