March 13, 2006
Medicaid Fixes, 2005 Crime Laws, State Prescription Drug Bills and a Shortage of Psychiatrists
Capitol Ideas is a periodic listing of story ideas and background information from new NCSL research.
Who Are the Employers of Medicaid Enrollees? As Medicaid continues to be the fastest-growing budget line for states, lawmakers want to know where Medicaid enrollees work and whether their employer provides health insurance. Three states already have laws that force beneficiaries to disclose information about their employers. Bills in 15 other states seek to do that this session. See details about those bills at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/2006employerdisclosure.htm.
This is one approach states are looking into to curb rising health costs. In another strategy, legislators in 16 states introduced bills to force employers of a certain size to spend a certain amount of money to provide health insurance to their workers. Details of these "pay or play" bills are at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/payorplay2006.htm.
2005 State Crime Laws: Thirty-two states in 2005 restricted sales of ephedrine—based medicines— including cold remedies - because ephedrine is a main methamphetamine ingredient. Under a new law in Michigan, drug dealers can be sentenced to life in prison if one of their customers dies from taking the substance the dealer delivered. And Louisiana enacted a process for compensating those who were wrongfully convicted and jailed. These are a few of the many new crime laws states passed in 2005. For a complete list, go to: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cj/05crime.htm
A Shortage of Child Psychiatrists: The projected need for child and adolescent psychiatrists in America is 30,000. Currently, there are only about 7,000, according to the new NCSL Legisbrief Child Psychiatrist Shortage Looms. Fueling the demand for child and adolescent psychiatrists is the enormous—and controversial—increase in the use of psychotropic medications to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety and attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. The shortage of child psychiatrists, coupled with increases in psychotropic drug use, forces kids to see other practitioners for medication management who might not have the training or experience to appropriately treat them. Credentialed reporters can ask for a free copy of the brief in an email to press-room@ncsl.org. Others can purchase it at NCSL's Bookstore.
State Prescription Drug Legislation: Lawmakers in 40 states have introduced more than 400 bills relating to prescription drugs in 2006 legislative sessions. Many states are mulling drug discount programs that supplement the federal Medicare Part D benefit. Other popular topics include drug recycling, drug pricing, and drug advertising. A new NCSL report categorizes and details all 400 bills. And it's updated regularly, as legislation passes or is defeated. Read the report at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/drugbill06.htm.
NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
NCSL's Annual Meeting will be in Nashville, August 15-18. It's the largest annual gathering of state lawmakers and policy experts in the nation. And attendance is free for credentialed reporters! Mark your calendars.
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