BILL NUMBER:  S4873

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to enact the "behavioral health and long-term
care act" providing for the establishment of a behavioral health and
long-term care plan

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that adults who have mental
health and/or substance abuse and physical health needs are provided
the opportunity to have their needs met using a comprehensive
approach.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section 1. Short Title "Behavioral Health and Long Term Care Act".

Section 2. Requires the Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health in
consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Health, the
Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services,
and the Director of the State Office for the Aging to develop and
implement a behavioral health and long-term care plan which must
include coordination of provider services and interagency referrals,
recommendations for integrating and coordinating federal, state and
local funding, recommendations for facilitating research on best
practices and model programs, an increase in alternatives to nursing
              

homes, and supports for family caregivers. This bill would also
require the plan to create specific actions to be taken, the number of
people to be served, measurable phases, and a time schedule. The
provisions of this plan must also be included in the statewide
comprehensive plan of service for the mentally disabled pursuant to
section 5.07 of the Mental Hygiene Law. This bill would require the
Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health to submit a report to the
Governor, the Temporary President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
Assembly on or before October 1, 2017. Requires the Commissioner of
Mental Health to submit a report regarding the implementation of the
plan, including the number of people served and other measurable
outcomes, on or before October 1, 2018 and annually until 2025.

Section 3. Effective Date

 EXISTING LAW :

None

 JUSTIFICATION :

Data from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services indicate that
35% of individuals in nursing homes are clinically depressed and 17%
have other psychiatric diagnoses. Similarly, a 2002 study of home
health care patients found that 13.7% suffered from major depression
and an additional 10.6% suffered from minor depression. Of those with
major depression, only 123% received adequate treatment. Only 3% of
older adults in the community without a chronic physical illness have
major depression, however once a chronic physical illness is added
that rate jumps to 7%. If the person requires home health care the
rate of major depression doubles to 14%, and if the person needs a
nursing home the rate doubles again to 30%.

In New York State, individuals receive long-term care through programs
offered through one of four state agencies: the Office of Mental
Health, the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities, the Department of Health, or the State Office for the
Aging. It is uncommon for an individual to receive services from a
staff who has been cross trained, or by a program that offers mental
health services and care for physical health.
It is well known that demographics in New York State are changing. In
fact, New York State citizens who are over the age of 65 will double
from 35 million to 70 million by 2030. Not only will the need for long
term care increase, but long-term care that offers mental health and
substance abuse treatment and is responsive to developmental
disabilities will be absolutely necessary. New York State must plan
now to meet the multiple needs of this vulnerable population.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2016: S.129A - REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES
2015: S.129 - AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES
2014: S.445A - Amend and Recommit to Mental Health and Developmental
Disabilities/A.2360A - Amend and Recommit to Mental Health
2013: S.445 - Referred to Mental Health and Developmental
Disabilities/A.2360 - Referred to Mental Health
2012: S.58- Referred to Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities/
A.4496 - Enacting Clause Stricken
2011: S.58 - Reported and Committed to Finance/A.4496 - Referred to
Health
2010: S.3341A - Reported and Committed to Finance; Amended (T) S.3341C
and Recommitted to Finance/A.7027C - Reported Referred to Ways and
Means.
2009: S.3341 - Reported and Committed to Finance/A.7027 - Reported
Referred to Ways and Means.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS :

To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Sixty days after enactment.