Page 13 - 2018 MHT Annual Report

Public Policy
In our efforts related to public policy and systems change, the Trust works to promote understanding of our beneficiaries and
the services needed to support them in
the community and in the least restrictive environment. The Trust does this through various methods including serving as a statewide voice and advocating for the development and funding of programs
and laws that will help Trust beneficiaries. Trust leadership works closely with the administration, legislature and state departments to advise on funding and policies. Public policy areas in which the trust engaged during FY 2018 include:
MEDICAID EXPANSION
& REFORM
The Trust continued our staffing and funding support to the Department of Health and
Social Services to advance reform initiatives passed by the Alaska Legislature and signed into law in 2016. Trustees approved $10 million in multi-year funding for the start-up costs of Medicaid reform which included $2.5 million in FY 2018 to support telehealth; long-term services and supports reforms; quality and cost effectiveness measurements for Medicaid; and Behavioral Health System Reform.
These efforts achieved notable progress over the year, including the successful submission to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the proposed 1115 Behavioral Health Waiver, which focuses
to establish new services for three specific populations of Medicaid recipients: “children, adolescents and their parents or caretakers with, or at risk of, mental health and
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