NAMI Idaho to Honor Providers Who Reversed Medicaid Mental Health Cuts
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Idaho plans to award clinic owners Laura Scuri and Ric Boyce its Kathie Garrett Impact Award for advocacy that led the Idaho Legislature to restore funding for Assertive Community Treatment and peer support services. The programs, administered through the state's Medicaid behavioral health contractor Magellan, had been cut following a gubernatorial executive order reducing the vendor's payment; four patients died after the mobile treatment service was eliminated. Gov. Brad Little signed legislation on the final day of the session temporarily restoring the funding after the two providers built relationships with lawmakers and engaged journalists. The award will be presented October 9 at a Boise gala, as Idaho continues moving toward privatized management of all Medicaid benefits.