NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco The candidates were asked the following open-ended questions:

1. Texas is experiencing a shortage of mental health and addiction care providers, especially in rural and underserved areas. How will you make sure more people have access to mental health treatment and services? 2. State and federal law requires mental health parity, or the During February 2020 and September-October 2020, NAMI equal treatment of mental health conditions and substance Texas’ Public Policy Team and our volunteers sent out a six- use disorders, compared to physical health conditions, in question mental health policy questionnaire via Google Forms to insurance plans. However, individuals in Texas still often every individual running for a state legislative seat in a contested receive unequal coverage for mental health treatment and race. Candidates were also provided information on NAMI Texas’ services. What will you do to improve coverage for public policy platform. We are only sharing the results for mental health care? candidates who are in a contested race. If we have not received a 3. At least 30% of individuals in local Texas jails have a completed questionnaire from a candidate, we will indicate that we severe mental illness, and more than half of justice- have not received a response yet. Reminders were sent on a weekly involved individuals nationwide have at least one mental basis to candidates who had not yet responded to the health condition. What will you do to divert people with questionnaire. mental illness from the criminal justice system? 4. Almost a quarter of individuals experiencing NAMI Texas is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) non-profit homelessness have a severe mental illness, and mental organization. We DO NOT endorse any candidates, or rank or alter illness has been identified as the third leading cause of their answers in any way. We provide this information to educate homelessness nationwide. How will you help people with you on where candidates in your district stand on key mental mental illness who are struggling with housing? health issues and let you use this information to inform your vote 5. Half of mental health conditions begin by the age of 14 rd on November 3 . A candidate’s inclusion of answers here does not and 75% begin by the age of 24, but these issues often go indicate a preference or endorsement by NAMI Texas. Inclusion in undetected and untreated until they reach a crisis point. this guide does not indicate that NAMI Texas endorses any How will you promote earlier intervention for people candidate's positions provided in the questionnaire. We encourage experiencing mental illness? NAMI members and mental health advocates to continue asking 6. Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the country, and important questions of legislative and local candidates and has faced serious challenges in ensuring individuals in #Vote4MentalHealth! underserved areas have access to health care. What will you do to improve access to health care and reduce our More information on the #Vote4MentalHealth campaign can be high uninsured rate? found at namitexas.org/vote4mentalhealth-texas.

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco

Senate District 4 Cameron Brock (L) Brandon Creighton (R, Incumbent) 1. System Capacity: I would ease restrictions to access. Brandon Creighton has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I would get government out of it. Let the free market work itself so people have easier access Jay Stittleburg (D) including more affordable prices. The more government red tape 1. System Capacity: I will support programs that provides there is, the higher prices are. Government is the reason people incentives for people that want to seek education for becoming a leave the country to find cheaper priced treatment around the mental health and/or addiction care provider. I will also support world. programs, such as public/private partnerships, to increase the 3. Criminal Justice: First off, I would legalize all drugs. When number of facilities that are available for treatment. there is no victim, there is no crime. This would significantly 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I will fight to ensure that reduce our prison population. We could encourage these health insurance programs provide adequate coverage for seeking individuals to seek the attention necessary once they are released mental health care and substance abuse treatment. from prison. As for the violent offenders, I would seek information 3. Criminal Justice: I will support programs, such as mental from professionals to figure out how best to help them with their health courts and mental health officers, to ensure that we are mental illness. Our prisons are supposed to be "correctional" getting people with mental health issues the help they need and not facilities. Let's figure out what we can do to "correct" their simply incarcerating them as jail is no place for treatment and behavior. If it's mental illness, maybe we can find them the help unfortunately our jail system in Texas is the #1 mental health they need. provider and that needs to change. 4. Housing: I would get government out of housing. I would 4. Housing: I will support programs that provide training and encourage people to reach out and teach these people the skill of education, rental and housing assistance and availability of building houses. If we provide them with skills that can provide facilities to transition from homelessness to self-sufficient. them with food and shelter, then they can become entrepreneurs 5. Early Intervention: I will support programs that provide through construction and growing food. This would get them availability of counselors and doctors in our public school systems outside, keep them busy, and feel productive. Government, to ensure that we can identify and treat mental health issues in our however, is never the answer. youth as early as possible to provide them the opportunity to lead a 5. Early Intervention: I would encourage people to find the help full, healthy and productive life. they need. 6. Access to Health Care: My #1 priority if elected is to expand 6. Access to Health Care: I would reduce government red tape. Medicaid in Texas. It is not the complete solution, but it is a good Government has failed and is the specific reason for all of these start and we need to start somewhere, because our state is doing problems. Let the free market work itself. There is a stigma that we nothing to address this issue at the moment. need government in these underserved areas. People there don't have much hope. Let's eliminate taxes, encourage

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco entrepreneurship, encourage skill building and downsize state and symposium of the brightest minds on mental health and also federal government. finance to discuss how to best house and support people who need extra help. Senate District 18 5. Early Intervention: We need to de-stigmatize the idea of Lois Kolkhorst (R, Incumbent) asking for help. We need let young adults know that we all go Lois Kolkhorst has not responded to the questionnaire yet. through crisis and that by seeking help early that we can acquire the tools needed to address our issues before they grow to be Michael Antalan (D) insurmountable. Michael Antalan has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 6. Access to Health Care: Nurse:patient ratios— these were raised several years back, resulting in nurses leaving, hospital healthcare mainly, in droves. These ratios are unsafe and unrealistic Senate District 21 expectation to provide quality patient care. Most of our large cities Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent) have programs in High School geared toward healthcare to start Judith Zaffirini has not responded to the questionnaire yet. more students on a pathway towards becoming nurses. We need these programs in rural areas. Rural areas are hit hard with Frank Pomeroy (R) healthcare shortages, and it is difficult to find employees locally. 1. System Capacity: We need to incentivize mental health care We also need to have a conversation with educated nurses and workers to make the choice to open facilities in rural areas. This doctors and talk about how to both partner with faith based would provide more access and less migrating to the urban areas. initiatives and audit the existing bureaucracy that hinders the We also need to promote the idea better that asking for therapy is health care industry. not going to be used against individuals at a later date. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I believe that the entire Senate District 22 insurance program needs to be placed on the table and the most intelligent minds within the medical disciplines need to come Brian Birdwell (R, Incumbent) together, and discuss together without political agendas, as to how Brian Birdwell has not responded to the questionnaire yet. to help all of healthcare in the state, which includes mental health. 3. Criminal Justice: It is no secret that we need justice reforms in Robert Vick (D) our country. I think again we need to incentivize therapist to take 1. System Capacity: Nine of the ten Counties that make up Senate part within the judicial system to help non violent criminals be able District 22 are rural so this issue is of utmost important to my to cope with the world. Then the state needs programs to train constituents. The State Legislature can do several things. First, them for some way of supporting themselves which would bring expand Medicaid, Texas is now only one of twelve States that has about self worth and personal value. not. Providing health care to 1.6 million Texans will help mitigate 4. Housing: Andrew Carnegie said that a wise man surrounds the impact of poverty, unhealthy life-style choices, economic himself with people who are smarter than he is. We need to have a uncertainty, and will improve the physical, emotional and mental

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco health of those most in need. Second, increase Medicaid investment we should make. reimbursements to increase more medical provider participation, including peer to peer support services. Third, grant APRNs full When individuals are in jail, they should have access to needed practice authority to reduce the shortage of "authorized" medical medication and support, should be signed up for our newly professionals. Forth, increase funding and support for mental expanded Medicaid and should get help planning their release and health evaluation and treatment services available to schools. Fifth, transaction back into society. This will also prove to be cost develop and fund proven successful group, peer, maternal, effective! provider and family support programs. 4. Housing: Projects for Assistance in Transition from 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: A major hindrance to Homelessness (PATH) and The Healthy Community Collaborative reaching parity is our failure to expand Medicaid. Rural hospitals are two excellent programs dealing with housing and mental are closing at an alarming rate in Texas, 21 in the last decade. illness, They are only available to residents of major urban areas. More than 75% of Texas rural hospitals are hanging on by a The rural residents of Senate District 22 have no such options. The thread. Mental health services are normally and routinely rural homeless, often shunned by family, frequently find reimbursed at a lower rate if at all. Scarce hospital resources are themselves in urban areas. There are housing options, Section 8, "saved" for those with emergency medical needs. Expand Section 811, supervised and supportive housing. The shortage is in Medicaid and Medicaid reimbursements and you save rural mental health professionals in rural areas to can direct and support hospitals and expand mental health and substance abuse options. those in transition. I would defer to NAMI, but my first impression 3. Criminal Justice: Drug and substance abuse courts should be is that these professionals would be community based working in established to divert substance addicted individuals into detox and local rural hospitals recently saved by Medicaid expansion. treatment programs. 5. Early Intervention: In our schools, of course. In some cases, such as rural areas, schools provide the only mental health services Fresh out of graduate school I started my professional career with a in the community. Schools are ideal for instituting programs aimed Community Mental Health Center. Witnessing the at mental illness and substance abuse prevention, intervention, and deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, I wrote the first positive development. Schools also foster communication between demonstration grant that created the HUD 202 Section 8 group school staff and families, and have the ability to address these homes. We also created the "Open Door" psychosocial issues. School psychologists, school counselors, school social rehabilitation program. We knew that housing, employment and workers, and school nurses know the students, parents, and other social skill were necessary to create an environment that reduced staff, which contributes to an accessibility of services. In fact, the clients interactions with the police and the penal system. We research has shown that students are more likely to seek counseling thought that the prior funding for inpatient mental health care when services are available in schools. I will introduce legislation, would flow to the community based approach, unfortunately it did and make it a priority, to increase funding for these positions and not. Housing, intervention and community based treatment will services. reduce costs compared to jail, prison and certain recidivism. It's an

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco 6. Access to Health Care: Expand Medicaid and Medicaid about mental health. We need to encourage and accelerate this reimbursement rates particularly in rural underserved areas. trend by simply being open and vocal about it, while making mental healthcare significantly more available and cheaper. Senate District 24 6. Access to Health Care: The easiest step is to expand Medicaid. Dawn Buckingham (R, Incumbent) Beyond that, I plan to promote the Healthy Texas Act that will Dawn Buckingham has not responded to the questionnaire yet. provide affordable coverage to all.

Clayton Tucker (D) House District 3 1. System Capacity: We need to create a well-funded public Cecil Bell (R, Incumbent) system of healthcare in Texas. Healthcare must include both Cecil Bell has not responded to the questionnaire yet. physical and mental health. As we are creating a system that allows people to seek mental healthcare without fear of abhorrent cost, we Martin Shupp (D) will also need to change our culture to make it socially acceptable Martin Shupp has not responded to the questionnaire yet. for people to seek mental health. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I will work to create a public House District 4 system of physical and mental healthcare in Texas via the Healthy (R, Incumbent) Texas Act (HB 4127 in the 2019 session). The HTA will expand Keith Bell has not responded to the questionnaire yet. physical and mental healthcare coverage and will push us forwards towards greater parity. K. Nicole Sprabary (L) 3. Criminal Justice: I will work to pass legislation that anyone K. Nicole Sprabary has not yet responded to the questionnaire yet. deemed likely to suffer from mental illness to receive treatment rather than punishment. This can be done by building less House District 8 jails/prisons and more hospitals, some of which can specialize in mental health. (R, Incumbent) 4. Housing: We need to expand physical and mental healthcare to Cody Harris has not yet responded to the questionnaire yet. everyone, regardless of if their rich or homeless. Once we expand affordable coverage for all, which can be done via the Healthy R. Edwin Adams (L) Texas Act, we can start getting homeless folks the healthcare they R. Edwin Adams has not responded to the questionnaire yet. need. House District 10 We also need to expand Medicaid. (R) 5. Early Intervention: We have to change our culture. Thankfully, Jake Ellzey has not yet responded to the questionnaire yet. the millennial and Y generations are becoming increasingly open

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco Matt Savino (L) treatment. Although this modality requires internet access, rural 1. System Capacity: I don't have a solution or remedy of my own health clinics could be used for site access. We should work with but I'm open to hear any ideas there are. providers to not only increase reimbursements for mental health 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: No response. services and substance abuse, but to offer incentives for those 3. Criminal Justice: We need a recovery program. Rehabilitate willing to have offices in the underserved communities. These people in jails and prisons not just hold them. Other countries and incentives could include office space or modifiers to existing even areas in the US have done this with great success. billing codes for greater reimbursements. 4. Housing: Stop limiting and putting restriction on agencies, 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Most people agree that private programs and organizations that the government thinks it mental health treatment is important and should be accessible. needs to get involved in. More can be done if government is not However different insurance policies not only offer different levels obstructing it. of coverage, but many have a separate deductible or high copays. 5. Early Intervention: It is not the job of government to get Mental health care must be accessible and affordable. We should involved and I will do whatever I can to get government out of the work across the aisle and with both state supported programs and way. private insurance to increase the access to affordable quality care. 6. Access to Health Care: Cut the red tape of government getting Mental health care for our children and youth should be mandatory in the way and let the free market handle medical needs. and should cover 100% without copays or coinsurance. The State Legislature is already working with the public schools to improve House District 11 trauma focused interventions. These interventions will only be (R, Incumbent) successful if the children who are referred to services can find a Travis Clardy has not responded to the questionnaire yet. provider and afford to pay. 3. Criminal Justice: There are very few resources available for Alec Johnson (D) chronic mentally ill persons and for persons who find themselves Alec Johnson has not responded to the questionnaire yet. in the justice system for any reason. I think we have to have multiple responses

House District 14 In my County, the Sheriff’s Office formed a Crisis Intervention John Raney (R, Incumbent) Team that intervenes in situations involving someone challenged John Raney has not responded to the questionnaire yet. with mental health to prevent the situation from escalating into a crisis and incarceration or worse. We should duplicate this best Janet Dudding (D) practice in our public safety communities. 1. System Capacity: It is heartbreaking to know that when people reach out for help, barriers to treatment may include a lack of We need to ensure that school related behaviors due to mental providers. Evidence based practice indicates that telehealth or health concerns do not result in detention and probation. Students online access to providers could be as effective as face to face

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco with mental health issues are often unable to be successful in 6. Access to Health Care: We should expand Medicaid. I am detention or on probation and end up with extensive criminal often baffled at why Texas chooses to have uninsured persons, histories due to probation violations. Once a student with an when the federal funds are there for us to expand coverage to many emotional disturbance has a criminal record and involvement with people. Expanding Medicaid will benefit our rural hospitals and the police, it is much harder to keep them out of detention. I think may keep their doors open. We should also look at funding for the the legislature is working to increase school safety while rural healthcare centers. People must be able to access routine and modifying the role of the school resource office to only be preventative care in order to decrease the acute illnesses and use of involved when criminal behavior occurs. (SB (State Bill) 1707). the Emergency room for care that could have been managed earlier 4. Housing: It is nearly impossible to address chronic mental and with less cost. illness when you are without safe, affordable housing. However, public housing applications, rules and expectations are often For many of the rural clinics, the use of nurse practitioners has difficult to follow for those with compromised mental health and been beneficial in keeping healthcare close to home. We should the punishment for violations is often a return to homelessness. I ensure that providing care to these underserved areas is quality think it is important to be open to non-traditional interventions to care and affordable for those who have limited income and address this vulnerable population. We should work with the resources. people who have demonstrated best practices, e.g., successful programs and transition programs with support for mental heath. House District 17 We should work to expand and duplicate those programs. I have (R, Incumbent) heard of several ventures with tiny homes, supported living centers John Cyrier has not responded to the questionnaire yet. and intensive case management programs. I would be open to learning more about this area. Madeline Eden (D) 5. Early Intervention: I live within 1 mile of Texas A&M Madeline Eden has not responded to the questionnaire yet. University. Mental health concerns are a frequent and intense need on and off the campus of TAMU. We should evaluate the current House District 20 level of services on ALL our universities and ensure that there are adequate services. When a person decides to reach out for mental Terry Wilson (R, Incumbent) health support, being placed on a waiting list for a few weeks is not Terry Wilson has not responded to the questionnaire yet. a good option. We need to ensure that all young people have access to mental health. Updating, expanding and increasing Jessica Tiedt (D) providers on college campuses is a great place to start. For young Jessica Tiedt has not responded to the questionnaire yet. people in our communities without being in college, it is imperative to ensure community resources are funded and accessible.

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco

House District 44 paid. Some doctors may quit early or retire sooner. Expanding (R, Incumbent) Medicaid, keeping private insurance, providing the Affordable John Kuempel has not responded to the questionnaire yet. Care Ace, and providing Medicare for All during a pandemic is NOT Socialism. Robert Bohmfalk (D) 1. System Capacity: I support full funding of mental health Julian Mardock (L) services. I would support Medicaid expansion. I would try to Julian Mardock has not responded to the questionnaire yet. recruit former health care workers and try to convince them to help ease the crisis. Those trained in alcohol and drug abuse could also House District 45 help. (I was a Mental Health Case Manager for over 5 years, over (D, Incumbent) 20 with MHMR). 1. System Capacity: Expanded access to telemedicine is one way 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Try to work with insurance to help extend services to rural and underserved areas. More companies to include mental health services. Help promote AA practitioners also need to be on the ground in these communities, meetings. Get a list of psychologist and counselors that would be though. Grant and other financial support programs should be able to help out. expanded to ensure providers are located themselves in these 3. Criminal Justice: There should be a mental health professional communities. or nurse to evaluate an inmate. If they are on any medication all 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Ensure that insurance staff working with an individual should know the side effects. companies provide uninterrupted access to any medications or Many in jail who have a severe mental illness should be in a treatments an individual needs to stabilize their condition. Require mental health residence. Suicide prevention of all inmates should any coverage denials to be backed up with medical reasoning to be in the program. help with that uninterrupted access. Finally, state statute needs to 4. Housing: I would try to find out all of the organizations that be clear on the definitions of serious mental illness and serious work with the homeless. I would try to find resources that could emotional disturbance to ensure a wider and more representative help them find shelter and possible a permanent home. I would range of mental health disorders are required to be covered by inform all food banks of those who are homeless. insurance. 5. Early Intervention: I would have school nurses and school 3. Criminal Justice: Trauma-informed programs for prevention, counselors trained in spotting warning signs among the youth. diversion, and treatment of individuals should be expanded and Suicide prevention would be a key factor in spotting the warning strengthened. Particularly, communities should be better supported signs. to establish local crisis intervention teams. Trauma screening for 6. Access to Health Care: Not much can be done with a inmates and defendants should be required at all criminal justice Republican governor and legislature that will not expand facilities in order to connect those with a history of trauma are Medicaid, especially during a pandemic. Hospitals will not turn connected with the right treatment and recovery programs to them away, but some small hospitals may close if they are never ensure a reduction in recidivism.

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco 4. Housing: Mental health illnesses often cause a variety of Carrie Isaac (R) symptoms that substantially interfere with a person’s daily life and Carrie Isaac has not responded to the questionnaire yet. activities, including maintaining employment or paying bills on a regular basis. Societal stigmas, uninsured or underinsured status, House District 47 and lack of mental health providers can make it difficult for (D, Incumbent) someone with a mental health illness to seek treatment. People 1. System Capacity: I would like to see more mental health care experiencing homelessness need access to accessible, safe, providers in our public schools in order to start early and address inclusive, low-barrier emergency shelters, and need support in issues early. I will support a bill that would require at least one formulating a housing. The state needs to step in to provide mental health care provider in every Texas public school. financial assistance to permanent supportive housing programs to 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Insurers should be held provide wraparound services for people with chronic patterns of accountable on this issue. Treatment for mental health conditions homelessness. should be covered the same as physical health care. I will work 5. Early Intervention: Texas needs to better equip school districts with the Representatives on the Health and Human Services and other youth services with more supports and tools to identify Committee and/or the Insurance Committee to work toward this children who may need intervention services and to be able to goal. provide some of those services themselves, including through 3. Criminal Justice: Already we are seeing a number of providing supports to hire more mental health professionals in diversions thanks in part to the work of Integral Care in Travis schools. The state also needs to better support and expand the County. Judges need to be aware of options available to send those availability of providers to provide treatment to youth with the with severe mental illness to the Austin State Hospital or a facility highest needs. run by Integral Care where people can get the treatment they need 6. Access to Health Care: Texas must opt-in to Medicaid in a safe environment. I will advocate for more resources, more expansion, which would provide health care access to an additional dollars in the state budget for treating people with severe mental 1.5 million uninsured individuals. This would bring $6 billion in illness. extra federal health care dollars to our state budget each year. This 4. Housing: We have some non-profits set up to help with this expanded coverage will also lead to a reduction in high-cost issue. I would like to see additional state dollars sent to services in emergency rooms and hospitals for chronic conditions organizations that are working on permanent supportive housing that could be treated and mitigated in primary care settings, and case management for ongoing wraparound services. helping to reduce uncompensated care costs for providers, 5. Early Intervention: We need mental health care services to be facilities, and counties. Medicaid expansion could also help ensure accessible through our school systems, and we should have the no more rural hospitals close in Texas due to financial difficulties topic of mental health addressed throughout K-12 in health classes. covering care for uninsured individuals. Since 2013, 19 rural Texas 6. Access to Health Care: I advocate for expanding Medicaid and hospitals have closed permanently or temporarily. using Telemedicine in the underserved areas when appropriate. We

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco can also provide incentives for doctors to go to underserved areas client advocate to look after the client in need and ensure by paying off student loans, for example. transparency and safety of the client were being addressed. 4. Housing: We can look implementing onsite community housing Justin Berry (R) models in conjunction with the state schools. These independent 1. System Capacity: I believe we must bring back the state living facilities can go on-site with the state school that will allow schools that were defunded and shut down in the 90's. We must them to have access to mental health care, as well as access to job have humanitarian facilities that allow for those who are severely skills programs that help them find employment opportunities. unable to care for themselves due to their mental illness. Further 5. Early Intervention: Increasing better training for school more, we must look at providing services via mental health counselors and better programs that help educate the parents on telecare. This will help address much of the transportation issues mental health and help place their loved on a pathway program for that occur in the rural and underserved areas. those individuals who are high risk clients. Increase community 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I would need to get more education on resources that are already available like childhood information on this question. From my experience as a Mental mental health screenings through the CHIP program. The school Health Officer or a CIT officer here in Austin, TX. I have been that districts, through their Child Find program, to help identify those we've been able to assist those with or with out insurance to get children in need of mental health resources as well as the state immediate care for a person in crisis. Though, I would argue that mandated Children's Resource Coordinating Group (CRCG) which the care provided is questionable and needs drastic improvement. can help staff and coordinate services for those utilizing very high We must look at the intake procedures for those waiting for mental risk resources. health care. Often times, unless a person makes a claim to harm 6. Access to Health Care: The problem is many doctors won't themselves or another, they are often neglected and waiting for take the low quality insurance. I think we must look at medical hours. Screening requirements are not client friendly and the coops and mental health coops as options to improving access to criteria is more of a check off list, rather client focused. Overhaul health care. I am currently talking to a doctor in my district who and improved training to MH providers is a start, with better cross provides quality care to those without insurance through a medical agency communication. coop. There are doctors willing to voluntarily participate in these 3. Criminal Justice: As a police officer with 13 years of programs, and we need to look at funding clinics and increase experience, I have first hand insight into this issue. We MUST awareness of these coops. refund and bring back the state schools (institutions) that we once had. By allowing a persons legal guardian a choice to have their Michael Clark (L) loved one placed in a state school where they have access to the Michael Clark has not yet responded to the questionnaire yet. care, shelter, and supervision. Sadly, when the state schools were shut down, many were kicked to the streets where they were quickly victimized and exploited. By bringing back the state schools again with reformed implementations and assigning a

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco

House District 48 federally backed low-cost loans for affordable housing projects. (D, Incumbent) These housing projects will increase the accessibility of housing to 1. System Capacity: There are a number of reasons why Texans anyone who might qualify, including those with mental health can’t get the care they need for mental health and additional challenges. Additionally, I have continued to defend the ability of treatment. However, as a member of the House Appropriations local communities to address the needs of the homeless in their Committee, I’ve used that position to focus the state budget on the communities, and have visited the Governor’s ‘camp’ for the need to improve mental health services across the state. I have also homeless he designated last fall to learn more and advocate for a been a longtime supporter of expanding Medicaid, and have been more thoughtful solution than simply pushing the homeless out of working to streamline the application process for out-of-state sight. advanced practice registered nurses through HB 912, which would 5. Early Intervention: In order to increase the state’s ability to increase telemedicine -- which we’ve seen work during the treat the mental health of youth before it reaches a crisis point, we pandemic, for increasing providers and access. need to identify those issues earlier. One solution I have been an 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: In order to improve coverage active champion for is boosting the number of qualified counselors for mental health care we must hold the government accountable to in our schools. Additionally, we can ensure other Texas teens their promises for mental health parity. I would work with NAMI won’t slip through the cracks in our healthcare system by and others to ensure these requirements are being enforced, by implementing an automatic enrollment for them into CHIP if the providing resources for appeals if your health coverage has been family no longer qualifies for Medicaid. And, of course, we need violated, making sure mental health services are covered equal to to expand Medicaid to cover more of our low-income population other illnesses regardless of diagnosis, severity, or cause, and who often have no options for services. expanding parity laws to include health plans of those who elect to 6. Access to Health Care: Expanding Medicaid would obviously self insure. have the biggest impact on increasing accessibility to health care 3. Criminal Justice: I have supported state investments into pre- among the uninsured. Beyond this, I have worked within the state trial diversion programs for adults and juveniles in Texas, both in budget on the Three Share Premium Assistance program, which the House Appropriations Committee and on the House floor, and provides financial assistance to small businesses and their will continue to do so. These programs primarily exist to divert employees to obtain health insurance coverage. I have advocated non-violent offenders from the criminal justice system -- including for continued access to affordable insurance for retired teachers those with mental health conditions. Unfortunately, at the direction and state employees and their spouses. Moreover, we need to of the state, these have been identified by state agencies for budget implement better reimbursement rates at the state and federal reductions. If I am fortunate enough to serve on the Appropriations levels, both through Federal Medical Assistance Percentages and committee again, I will advocate for these programs to be restored. Medicaid. 4. Housing: I amended legislation last session to provide some technical changes to the way private activity bonds are allocated, Bill Strieber (R) which freed up several hundred million additional dollars towards Bill Strieber has not responded to the questionnaire yet.

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco

House District 49 House District 51 (D, Incumbent) Eddie Rodriguez (D, Incumbent) Gina Hinojosa has not responded to the questionnaire yet. Eddie Rodriguez has not responded to the questionnaire yet.

Charles Meyer (R) Robert Reynolds (R) Charles Meyer has not responded to the questionnaire yet. Robert Reynolds has not responded to the questionnaire yet.

Kenneth Moore (L) House District 52 Kenneth Moore’s contact information could not be located. (D, Incumbent) 1. System Capacity: Just as the shortage of rural hospitals and House District 50 healthcare providers has hurt our rural neighbors during the (D, Incumbent) COVID crisis, a shortage of rural mental health and addiction Celia Israel has not responded to the questionnaire yet. resource providers has been hurting the health of our rural neighbors for decades. Strengthening our mental health workforce Larry Delarose (R) is critical to increasing access to quality mental health care and 1. System Capacity: Money must be appropriated to hire more treatment across the state. I support policies that would reinforce professional to adequately service these areas. our mental health workforce and incentivize providers to serve 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Make it mandatory that all patients in rural and underserved areas, such as increasing funding insurance providers in Texas comply with state laws regarding for loan repayment programs and increasing Medicaid parity. If these coverages are not included in health policies then reimbursement rates to encourage more mental health insurance companies cannot sell the policies in Texas. professionals to offer services to Medicaid patients. 3. Criminal Justice: Individuals in jail should be tested for mental One of the most common concerns I hear from educators is the illness problems and if found to be in need of mental health care lack of mental health resources available to our students in school. should be transferred to mental health care facilities. School districts rarely have enough counselors, school 4. Housing: If homeless person is diagnosed in need of mental psychologists, social workers, and other trained personnel to meet health care they need to be treated at a mental health care facility. demand despite mounting evidence of a serious mental health 5. Early Intervention: While this is a very difficult issue to detect crisis in Texas. Our state’s refusal to expand Medicaid has left in advance, periodic psychological testing could be on avenue to Texas with the highest uninsured rate for children nationwide. explore. Coupled with the shortage of mental health care providers, our 6. Access to Health Care: Implement a special program designed schools are yet again at the frontlines experiencing the impact of to focus on these areas with separate funding and separate unmet health needs. professional administration.

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco Last session I filed legislation (HB 3026) that would require school students were suspended or expelled. Suspensions or expulsions districts to implement a ratio requirement of students to mental following disciplinary action tripled the likelihood of juvenile health practitioners, ensuring that districts have an adequate justice system contact in the following school year. By expanding number of on-campus professionals to handle cases. As the access to mental health professionals on campus, schools can better COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen existing mental health identify students with treatment needs and interrupt unnecessary problems and lead to more cases among children and adolescents, early exposure to the criminal justice system, close pathways to this effort is more crucial than ever before. future incarceration, and foster safer, healthier learning 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Mental health parity laws are environments. an important step in helping Texans access necessary treatment. 4. Housing: Individuals suffering from mental illness are often the However, parity laws do not require that insurance companies most at-risk for homelessness and, because many have a criminal cover mental health and substance use services, excluding many record and difficulty with social and sensory interactions, often Texans from the coverage they need. We must treat mental health have the hardest time living in shelters or qualifying for the care and addiction care as the essential, and life-extending medical necessary resources to get back on their feet. We must increase care that it is and ensure that insurance covers such treatment and access to supported and supportive housing, with accessible crisis services. I want to expand Medicaid in Texas so that more Texans support services on-site or available. Most mentally ill individuals are able to access the quality, affordable health coverage they need experiencing homelessness do not thrive in the often crowded, as well as enforce existing regulations to mandate mental health dirty, and loud shelters accessible to them and need trauma- parity in all types of insurance. informed care specialists to guide and support them. Supporting 3. Criminal Justice: I support protecting and expanding programs our houseless population is humane and cost-effective — a policy such as diversion courts, mental health and addiction treatment no-brainer. programs, and lowering penalties for certain non-violent offenses 5. Early Intervention: I believe we do this by increasing mental that are proven to reduce recidivism. I have also filed legislation health resources in schools, noticing suicidal ideation in students, that would disrupt the school to prison pipeline and prioritize and taking actions to help troubled students. I filed bills to address restorative justice over punishment. I continue to believe that many of these problems during the 86th Legislative Session. access to mental health, rehabilitation centers, and restorative The first bill I filed as a state legislator, HB 1467, was to increase justice measures are far more effective at preventing and solving the ratio of mental health professionals to law enforcement officers criminal justice issues than simply throwing people into prisons, on campus to at least 4:1. This bill was intended to provide particularly when considering nonviolent and low-level offenders. students the help they need before the situation can ever escalate In order to divert people with mental illness from unnecessary into someone bringing weapons to a school. Further, the second involvement with the criminal justice system, we must increase bill I filed, HB 1468, created a task force to examine the accessibility and affordability of mental health services and disrupt effectiveness of school counseling programs provided for students the school to prison pipeline. According to a report from Texas enrolled in public schools. Appleseed, from 2000-2009, three-quarters of special education

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco

I also filed legislation (HB 2994 & HB 2997) to increase access to House District 54 mental health resources for educators and provide training on Brad Buckley (R, Incumbent) suicide awareness for educators and school staff (including bus Brad Buckley has not responded to the questionnaire yet. drivers) to prevent acts of suicide or self-harm amongst students or school staff. Likeithia "Keke" Williams (D) Though many of these bills did not pass at the time, I am Likeithia "Keke" Williams has not responded to the questionnaire committed to working on these issues and plan to continue fighting yet. for increased access to high quality mental health resources in schools. House District 56 6. Access to Health Care: Healthcare should be affordable for every Texan. The best way to reduce our state’s high uninsured Charles "Doc" Anderson (R, Incumbent) rate is by expanding Medicaid, but the refuses to Charles "Doc" Anderson has not responded to the questionnaire accept billions of our own federal tax dollars available to expand yet. health coverage. That’s putting politics over people. Last session, I supported an amendment that would have expanded Medicaid in Katherine Turner-Pearson (D) our state. Though this amendment did not pass, I will continue to Katherine Turner-Pearson has not responded to the questionnaire work for expanded access to affordable healthcare for Texans. yet. Additionally, we need to vastly expand preventative care, meaning ensuring yearly check-ups and basic health needs are affordable House District 57 even for poorer communities. (R, Incumbent) Trent Ashby has not responded to the questionnaire yet. Lucio Valdez (R) Lucio Valdez has not responded to the questionnaire yet. Jason Rogers (D) Jason Rogers has not responded to the questionnaire yet. House District 53 Andrew Murr (R, Incumbent) House District 58 Andrew Murr has not responded to the questionnaire yet. DeWayne Burns (R, Incumbent) DeWayne Burns has not responded to the questionnaire yet. Joe Herrera (D) Joe Herrera has not responded to the questionnaire yet. Cindy Rocha (D) 1. System Capacity: We must accept Medicaid funding that Texas currently refuses. That should be a starting point. Then getting

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco providers to areas that need help the most perhaps with college Bryan J. Henry (D) debt relief as an incentive. 1. System Capacity: The state should increase funding for mental 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Lawmakers must understand health and addition providers. in layman's terms the harm that is done to our citizens because we 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: The state legislature should continue to ignore mental health. Follow the laws that are in place, identify legislative solutions to mandate that insurance companies strengthen or change them. provide equal coverage and reimbursement for mental health 3. Criminal Justice: Early diagnosis and treatment should help to treatment and services. divert many. Non-violent criminals should be reassessed. 3. Criminal Justice: Criminal justice reform at the local and state 4. Housing: Professional diagnosis, treatment, placement in level can identify alternatives to jail that will better serve available housing. Ask groups that have the experience, salvation individuals with severe mental illness. army and night shelters, for their help, ideas and opinions in what 4. Housing: State and local government should invest in mental has worked best. health services and programs to decrease homelessness. 5. Early Intervention: We have to be able to diagnose earlier to 5. Early Intervention: Health insurance plans and medical centers help and to prevent crisis. Parents, counselors, teachers, could be incentivized to increase communication about mental pediatricians concerns should not be ignored. health screenings. 6. Access to Health Care: Start with accepting Medicaid funding. 6. Access to Health Care: Expanding Medicaid is one of the top Incentives to serve our underserved. Circuit doctors, telemedicine, priorities in the next legislative session. Doing so would broadband. Emphasize preventative care and ask those that are significantly reduce the uninsured population and increase the actually doing the work and providing services what may work amount of federal health care dollars coming to Texas. best. House District 132 House District 73 Gina Calanni (D, Incumbent) (R, Incumbent) 1. System Capacity: Ensuring that we expand Medicaid coverage Kyle Biedermann has not responded to the questionnaire yet. in Texas is one of my top priorities next Session. Included within this expanded coverage will be affordable access to mental health Stephanie Phillips (D) treatment and services. Stephanie Phillips has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: With expanded Medicaid coverage and access provisions, we will work with groups like House District 130 NAMI Texas to ensure we are writing and passing legislation that (R, Incumbent) improves coverage for mental health care. Tom Oliverson has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 3. Criminal Justice: It's important that we provide peace officers with the training and skills to identify individuals with mental illness and those going through crisis. Training officers on the

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco front end can help identify individuals who need treatment, not jail as incentivize doctors and providers to locate in underserved areas time. In addition, we need to work with the criminal justice system through student loan forgiveness and similar programs. to ensure they have the resources that provide inmates with mental 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: In addition to increasing health services while incarcerated. access to care we must strengthen existing regulations and 4. Housing: We will work with coalition groups to help people standards as well as examine what additional regulations may be with mental illness who are struggling with housing; and support needed in order to achieve parity. This is especially true for out of legislation that addresses this. network costs and to ensure that psychiatrists and other mental 5. Early Intervention: We will work with public school systems health professionals are compensated at appropriate levels. We to provide the funding necessary for trained mental health need action at the federal level, but can also reinforce federal counselors, who can identify mental illness early and refer for standards with state law as well as ensure that state administered needed intervention. plans have parity. 6. Access to Health Care: Working to expand Medicaid next 3. Criminal Justice: I support diversion programs, drug and Session will mean that over 1 million Texans will have an alcohol addiction treatment, and support services as alternatives to affordable health care coverage option. incarceration, especially for low-level, non-violent offenders. Additionally, we must adopt best practices around harm reduction Mike Schofield (R) and good samaritan laws, which the Texas Legislature has failed to Mike Schofield has not responded to the questionnaire yet. do repeatedly. We also need to increase funding for crisis and long-term supportive care so that we are more adequately meeting Titus Benton (I/Write-In) the need in settings that are conducive to healthcare. Our jails Titus Benton’s contact information could not be located. should not be the biggest providers of mental health services and I believe we must change using a multi-pronged approach. House District 136 Similarly, we need to increase funding for counselors and Licensed John H. Bucy (D, Incumbent) Specialists in School Psychology within our schools so that we can 1. System Capacity: The most important thing Texas must do to help provide services and intervene at a younger age as part of reduce disparities in healthcare for rural, low income, and other breaking the school to prison pipeline. underserved Texans is the adopt Medicaid expansion, which would 4. Housing: Access to housing is a major issue in terms of the provide 2.2 million Texans with access to care, bring $110 billion stability and continuity of mental healthcare and addiction dollars into the state, lower all of our insurance premiums, and treatment. We must work with local and county jurisdictions to save thousands of our neighbors’ lives. Medicaid expansion is the increase the availability of affordable housing that is near to biggest tool we have to address maternal mortality, mental health transit, healthcare, and other basic amenities. One thing we cannot and addiction, and rural hospital closures. In addition, we must do is make it harder for individuals who have minor criminal utilize telemedicine to increase access to mental healthcare as well records to access housing. I am strongly opposed to recently

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 5 State Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI Affiliates: NAMI Central Texas, NAMI Temple Area, NAMI Brazos Valley, NAMI Waco proposed rule changes by TDHCA that would exacerbate this House District 55 – (R, Incumbent) matter. House District 59 - (R) 5. Early Intervention: I support increasing funding to enable schools to hire more counselors, Licensed Specialists in School Psychology, interventionists, and similar. We must do more to address mental health in Texas, including in our public schools. We have also seen some success in Texas with schools focusing on conflict resolution, mindfulness, and other socio-emotional approaches, and should expand those practices. I believe that by increasing access to mental health services for younger Texans we can derive better health outcomes as well as reduce the stigma around seeking mental healthcare. 6. Access to Health Care: Simply put, we must expand Medicaid. I proposed an amendment to the state budget in 2019 to do so, and it failed in a party-line vote. With the recent bi-partisan momentum in terms of public support for Medicaid expansion, and given the renewed urgency in light of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Texas’ economy and the marked increase in uninsured persons, I am hopeful that we can get this done next session.

Michael Guevara (R) Michael Guevara has not responded to the questionnaire yet.

Brian Elliott (L) Brian Elliott has not responded to the questionnaire yet.

Candidates Running Unopposed

House District 12 – (R, Incumbent) House District 13 – Ben Leman (R, Incumbent) House District 16 – (R, Incumbent) House District 18 – (R, Incumbent) House District 46 – (D, Incumbent)