Experts Cautious Over TennCare's Ambitious Mental Health Push

Under the proposed plan, the state's Medicaid program would cover people who have a qualifying diagnosis of a mental illness or substance abuse disorder. And though many in the health care industry are cheered by the proposal, some worry about how it will be implemented.

The Tennessean: Mental Health Push Complicates TennCare Expansion

The TennCare expansion proposal to offer access to coverage to those who suffer from mental health or substance abuse disorders tackles a historically underserved population — but it also confronts serious challenges that come with providing behavioral health care in Tennessee. (Fletcher, 7/8)

In other news, a provision in New Hampshire's Medicaid expansion law allows the state to turn over information to the FBI's gun-buyer background check system —

New Hampshire Union Leader: AG: Medicaid Expansion Law Clamps Down On Gun Purchases By Mentally Ill

New Hampshire will start turning over the names of dangerously mentally ill people to the FBI’s gun-buyer background check system, thanks to a little-noticed provision in the state’s Medicaid expansion law, state officials said Friday. The provision, which went into effect on April 6, allows the state to disclose the names to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, Attorney General Joseph Foster said in a letter sent Friday to Linda Dalianis, the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. (Hayward, 7/8)

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