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@PetraTilling Yes, he said that before inmates tested positive. and that's what we reported last week. But now wondering if there's been an increased effort to get supplies since the virus has entered the prison system

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Division of Mental Health Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services

A county by county map of US colored to show opioid death risk, including access to medication-assisted treatment

Forty-one N.C. counties classified as “high risk” in new opioid study

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Forty-one N.C. counties classified as “high risk” in new opioid study - North Carolina Health News

In a national study, researchers classified 41 North Carolina counties as “opioid high-risk” with few providers of medication-assisted treatment and many opioid-related deaths.

By Yen Duong While conversations about the national opioid epidemic often focus on hardest-hit states such as Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, few people have analyzed county-by-county trends, where those state’s policies can make a difference. But a new study, published last month in an open-access version of the Journal of the American Medical Association, […]

a man at a podium tries to avoid talking about Medicaid expansion

NC health department would face ‘dramatic’ cuts under proposed budget

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NC health department would face ‘dramatic’ cuts under proposed budget - North Carolina Health News

Sec. Mandy Cohen spent big portions of her week walking the halls of the legislature, to push back against cuts to DHHS.

By Taylor Knopf and Rose Hoban As the state budget moves toward what looks to be an inevitable veto from Gov. Roy Cooper, state health leaders are raising alarm about some of the budget provisions drafted by Republican state lawmakers. Health and Human Services Sec. Mandy Cohen argues that some of the deep cuts could […]

legislative building in Raleigh

2019 Health & Human Services Budget – House & Senate

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2019 Health & Human Services Budget – House & Senate - North Carolina Health News

Just in time for the conference committee budget, here are how the Senate and the House of Representatives each proposed to spend on health and human services.

By Rose Hoban After 2018’s unusual budget process this year’s budget has unfolded in a more “traditional” way. The House unveiled it’s proposal to spend $5.569 billion on health and human services priorities in early May. The Senate finished it’s work on the budget in early June, asking for a total appropriation of $5.552 billion […]

talking to a psychiatrist over the web while in the emergency department, telehealth

STePs Toward Shortening ED Wait Times for Mental Health Patients

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STePs Toward Shortening ED Wait Times for Mental Health Patients - North Carolina Health News

North Carolina's telepsychiatry program is starting to make a dent on how long people in mental health crisis spend in the emergency room.

By Taylor Knopf About 40 percent of North Carolinians live in one of the state’s 80 rural counties, many of which lack ready access to health care. But in recent years, more and more North Carolinians are receiving care with telemedicine. However, there remain a lot of gaps in state policy when it comes to […]

Panorama of the new Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro.

Bill Would Make Mental Health Agencies Create Local Crisis Plans

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Bill Would Make Mental Health Agencies Create Local Crisis Plans - North Carolina Health News

A bill in the works at the legislature makes a series of changes and tweaks throughout the mental health system.

By Taylor Knopf It’s no secret that North Carolina’s mental health system leaves a lot to be desired, and one of the biggest holes in the safety net is a dearth of crisis services. That’s why state lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would direct all seven state-funded mental health management organizations to […]

shows five peopel sitting at a long table on a dias, one is speaking.

Lawmakers Agree on Need for Child Services

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Lawmakers Agree on Need for Child Services - North Carolina Health News

At the 39th annual mental health legislative breakfast, lawmakers found points of agreement.

By Rose Hoban Legislators from both sides of the aisle found points of agreement on health care issues Saturday as they discussed Medicaid, child services and mental health care, and the need for better community psychiatric services in North Carolina. A capacity crowd of 400 filled UNC-Chapel Hill’s Friday Center for the 39th annual Legislative […]

neon emergency room sign

Lawmakers Get Sobering Mental Health Update

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Lawmakers Get Sobering Mental Health Update - North Carolina Health News

Reports from around the state show success in some mental health programs but there are still many barriers to getting people the services they need. By Rose Hoban A 50-year-old man sits continuously in an emergency department for 80 days after attempting suicide. A 4-year-old child with psychiatric problems is left in a different emergency […]

Panorama of the new Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro.

New Cherry Hospital Makes Its Debut, Three Years Late

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New Cherry Hospital Makes Its Debut, Three Years Late - North Carolina Health News

The state’s newest psychiatric facility was plagued by delays. Now that it’s open, will there be fewer people in the state's emergency departments?

By Rose Hoban Three years after it was originally slated to open, Goldsboro’s new Cherry Hospital was officially dedicated Tuesday by Gov. Pat McCrory At an outdoor ceremony attended by hundreds of present and former staff, state and local officials, and legislators, McCrory glossed over the delays that kept the $138 million facility from opening […]

Health care professionals, elected officials and law enforcement officers break ground on a comprehensive behavioral care center in the Caldwell County town of Lenoir. Photo courtesy Smoky Mountain LME/MCO

Mental Health Crisis Center to Serve Caldwell, Alexander & McDowell Counties

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Mental Health Crisis Center to Serve Caldwell, Alexander & McDowell Counties - North Carolina Health News

A new comprehensive health care center will provide 24-hour mental health and addiction urgent care, outpatient behavioral health treatment and beds for people in crisis. By Taylor Sisk “I don’t know if I was ready for help, but my husband was ready for me to get it,” said Rebekah McCloy, recalling her behavioral health crisis. […]

In front of PBH's Kannapolis office.

Lawmakers Want Mental Health Agencies to Spend Their Money

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Lawmakers Want Mental Health Agencies to Spend Their Money - North Carolina Health News

After cutting funding to the North Carolina’s mental health managed care organizations in the state budget, lawmakers push for more spending of cash reserves on patient care. By Rose Hoban Even as officials from the Department of Health and Human Services were touting the success and stability of the current mental health system, lawmakers expressed […]

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