NAMI #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector , NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

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

equal treatment of mental health conditions and substance During February 2020 and September-October 2020, NAMI use disorders, compared to physical health conditions, in Texas’ Public Policy Team and our volunteers sent out a six- insurance plans. However, individuals in Texas still often question mental health policy questionnaire via Google Forms to receive unequal coverage for mental health treatment and every individual running for a state legislative seat in a contested services. What will you do to improve coverage for race. Candidates were also provided information on NAMI Texas’ mental health care? public policy platform. We are only sharing the results for 3. At least 30% of individuals in local Texas jails have a candidates who are in a contested race. If we have not received a severe mental illness, and more than half of justice- completed questionnaire from a candidate, we will indicate that we involved individuals nationwide have at least one mental have not received a response yet. Reminders were sent on a weekly health condition. What will you do to divert people with basis to candidates who had not yet responded to the mental illness from the criminal justice system? questionnaire. 4. Almost a quarter of individuals experiencing

homelessness have a severe mental illness, and mental NAMI Texas is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) non-profit illness has been identified as the third leading cause of organization. We DO NOT endorse any candidates, or rank or alter homelessness nationwide. How will you help people with their answers in any way. We provide this information to educate mental illness who are struggling with housing? you on where candidates in your district stand on key mental 5. Half of mental health conditions begin by the age of 14 health issues and let you use this information to inform your vote and 75% begin by the age of 24, but these issues often go on November 3rd. A candidate’s inclusion of answers here does not undetected and untreated until they reach a crisis point. indicate a preference or endorsement by NAMI Texas. Inclusion in How will you promote earlier intervention for people this guide does not indicate that NAMI Texas endorses any experiencing mental illness? candidate's positions provided in the questionnaire. We encourage 6. Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the country and NAMI members and mental health advocates to continue asking has faced serious challenges in ensuring individuals in important questions of legislative and local candidates and underserved areas have access to health care. What will #Vote4MentalHealth! More information on the you do to improve access to health care and reduce our #Vote4MentalHealth campaign can be found at high uninsured rate? namitexas.org/vote4mentalhealth-texas. NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

Senate District 1 show promising results, and I would work to expand access to Bryan Hughes (R, Incumbent) creative solutions like that as a member of the legislature. Bryan Hughes has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 4. Housing: We need to prioritize affordable housing options for Texans all over the state. This should include supportive housing, Audrey Spanko (D) but even access to affordable housing without extra services is 1. System Capacity: Medicaid expansion will play an important necessary to curbing homelessness in Texas. Additionally, it will role in increasing access to mental health services, as it will bring be important to ensure that people experiencing homelessness also coverage to over 40,000 East Texans, many of whom live in rural have access to quality mental and physical health services. areas. Especially during a pandemic, we need to work to expand 5. Early Intervention: In order to ensure Texans can access the use of Telehealth services; however, for rural Texans these mental health services before they reach a crisis point, we should services have proved critical, and it will be necessary to continue encourage mental health screenings to begin at a younger age. One the expansion of Telehealth, even when we are no longer facing a way we can accomplish this is increasing the number of school global pandemic. social workers across the state, this would allow public school 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: For too long, the legislature students access to a mental health professional whenever they are has allowed health insurance companies to go unchecked. We on campus. should focus our efforts on holding these for profit companies 6. Access to Health Care: Senate district 1 is currently home to accountable, so Texans can attain necessary mental health 134,000 individuals without health insurance and has the highest coverage, in addition to the physical health coverage they are infant mortality rate in the state. I plan to fight for Medicaid receiving. We should also work to increase Medicaid expansion. Over 42,000 uninsured individuals in Senate District 1 reimbursement, making it more competitive with Medicare rates. would gain medical coverage if Texas expanded Medicaid. This would incentivize health care workers to improve and expand Expanded coverage also means women and children will have the the services they provide. coverage they need to seek life-saving medical services. Over the 3. Criminal Justice: This is a part of a broad and necessary last nine years four rural hospitals have closed in District 1. discussion of reimagining our criminal justice system. In order to Expanding coverage and insurance could help save other hospitals truly provide justice, we need to provide services to individuals, at risk of closing. even before they become justice-involved. First of all, expanded Medicaid will bring coverage to thousands of Texans who may be Senate District 12 suffering from a mental illness that would otherwise go untreated Jane Nelson (R, Incumbent) and potentially could lead them to involvement with our broken Jane Nelson has not responded to the questionnaire yet. criminal justice system. Additionally, mental health resources in Texas need to be accessible to all Texans, not just to those who can pay top dollar. Other ideas, like supportive housing programs, also NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

Shadi Zitoon (D) Senate District 22 1. System Capacity: First, we have to expand Medicaid. So many Brian Birdwell (R, Incumbent) areas were left without any adequate healthcare due to the lack of Brian Birdwell has not responded to the questionnaire yet. expansion. We also need incentives to encourage healthcare professionals to move and provide service to rural communities. Robert Vick (D) 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: We have to acknowledge that 1. System Capacity: Nine of the ten Counties that make up Senate mental healthcare is healthcare and to work on removing the District 22 are rural so this issue is of utmost important to my stigma associated with it. A large part of that is education and constituents. The State Legislature can do several things. First, teaching about mental care. We should be teaching about mental expand Medicaid, Texas is now only one of twelve States that has healthcare in school to increase the public knowledge. not. Providing health care to 1.6 million Texans will help mitigate 3. Criminal Justice: We need to have options for our law the impact of poverty, unhealthy life-style choices, economic enforcement. Our prison and jails are one of the largest providers uncertainty, and will improve the physical, emotional and mental of healthcare in the state. We need to have addicts getting help health of those most in need. Second, increase Medicaid from people who are specialized in addiction treatment and mental reimbursements to increase more medical provider participation, health professionals treating people with mental health issues. including peer to peer support services. Third, grant APRNs full 4. Housing: Medicaid expansion would provide coverage for those practice authority to reduce the shortage of "authorized" medical individuals to ensure they can get the treatment they need. We also professionals. Forth, increase funding and support for mental need to create more programs to help those people without a home, health evaluation and treatment services available to schools. Fifth, One thing we can do is increase the minimum wage to a livable develop and fund proven successful group, peer, maternal, wage so they can afford to house themselves. Also, we need to do provider and family support programs. more to encourage the development of affordable housing. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: A major hindrance to 5. Early Intervention: In school, we should be teaching about reaching parity is our failure to expand Medicaid. Rural hospitals mental health as well as physical health. This would help many are closing at an alarming rate in Texas, 21 in the last decade. people know the signs to look for in loved ones or themselves More than 75% of Texas rural hospitals are hanging on by a before it gets to a crisis point, in addition to the expansion of thread. Mental health services are normally and routinely treatment options for mental health issues that I have mentioned in reimbursed at a lower rate if at all. Scarce hospital resources are previous answers. "saved" for those with emergency medical needs. Expand 6. Access to Health Care: First, we need to expand Medicaid with Medicaid and Medicaid reimbursements and you save rural a robust program. We need to increase education on mental health. hospitals and expand mental health and substance abuse options. We need lower costs for those who want to pursue healthcare as a 3. Criminal Justice: Drug and substance abuse courts should be career to ensure we have enough professions to meet the ever- established to divert substance addicted individuals into detox and increasing need. treatment programs. NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

5. Early Intervention: In our schools, of course. In some cases, Fresh out of graduate school I started my professional career with a such as rural areas, schools provide the only mental health services Community Mental Health Center. Witnessing the in the community. Schools are ideal for instituting programs aimed deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, I wrote the first at mental illness and substance abuse prevention, intervention, and demonstration grant that created the HUD 202 Section 8 group positive development. Schools also foster communication between homes. We also created the "Open Door" psychosocial school staff and families, and have the ability to address these rehabilitation program. We knew that housing, employment and issues. School psychologists, school counselors, school social social skill were necessary to create an environment that reduced workers, and school nurses know the students, parents, and other the clients interactions with the police and the penal system. We staff, which contributes to an accessibility of services. In fact, thought that the prior funding for inpatient mental health care research has shown that students are more likely to seek counseling would flow to the community based approach, unfortunately it did when services are available in schools. I will introduce legislation, not. Housing, intervention and community based treatment will and make it a priority, to increase funding for these positions and reduce costs compared to jail, prison and certain recidivism. It's an services. investment we should make. 6. Access to Health Care: Expand Medicaid and Medicaid reimbursement rates particularly in rural underserved areas. When individuals are in jail, they should have access to needed medication and support, should be signed up for our newly Senate District 24 expanded Medicaid and should get help planning their release and Dawn Buckingham (R, Incumbent) transaction back into society. This will also prove to be cost Dawn Buckingham has not responded to the questionnaire yet. effective! 4. Housing: Projects for Assistance in Transition from Clayton Tucker (D) Homelessness (PATH) and The Healthy Community Collaborative 1. System Capacity: We need to create a well-funded public and two excennely programs dealing with housing and mental system of healthcare in Texas. Healthcare must include both illness, They are only available to residents of major urban areas. physical and mental health. As we are creating a system that allows The rural residents of Senate District 22 have no such options. The people to seek mental healthcare without fear of abhorrent cost, we rural homeless, often shunned by family, frequently find will also need to change our culture to make it socially acceptable themselves in urban areas. There are housing options, Section 8, for people to seek mental health. Section 811, supervised and supportive housing. The shortage is in 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I will work to create a public mental health professionals in rural areas to can direct and support system of physical and mental healthcare in Texas via the Healthy those in transition. I would defer to NAMI, but my first impression Texas Act (HB 4127 in the 2019 session). The HTA will expand is that these professionals would be community based working in physical and mental healthcare coverage and will push us forwards local rural hospitals recently saved by Medicaid expansion. towards greater parity. NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

3. Criminal Justice: I will work to pass legislation that anyone 3. Criminal Justice: Be sure counties have the diagnostic support deemed likely to suffer from mental illness to receive treatment they need to properly identify problems and better finance rather than punishment. This can be done by building less appropriate treatment programs. jails/prisons and more hospitals, some of which can specialize in 4. Housing: Homelessness in general needs to be addressed. mental health. Public support for private organizations that are working on the 4. Housing: We need to expand physical and mental healthcare to issue should be encouraged along with potential subsidies for everyone, regardless of if their rich or homeless. Once we expand partial rents. Job training should also be available. affordable coverage for all, which can be done via the Healthy 5. Early Intervention: Again better integrate mental health Texas Act, we can start getting homeless folks the healthcare they professionals into the school system and improve mental health need. education for parents and teachers. 6. Access to Health Care: First, expand Medicaid under the ACA. We also need to expand Medicaid. Consider financial and/or tuition inducements for doctors that 5. Early Intervention: We have to change our culture. Thankfully, agree to practice in underserved areas. the millennial and Y generations are becoming increasingly open about mental health. We need to encourage and accelerate this House District 4 trend by simply being open and vocal about it, while making (R, Incumbent) mental healthcare significantly more available and cheaper. Keith Bell has not yet responded to the questionnaire yet. 6. Access to Health Care: The easiest step is to expand Medicaid. Beyond that, I plan to promote the Healthy Texas Act that will K. Nicole Sprabary (L) provide affordable coverage to all. K. Nicole Sprabary has not yet responded to the questionnaire yet.

House District 2 House District 5 (R) (R, Incumbent) Bryan Slaton has not responded to the questionnaire yet. Cole Hefner has not responded to the questionnaire yet.

Bill Brannon (D) LaWyanda Prince (D) 1. System Capacity: Expand Medicaid. Better integrate mental LaWyanda Prince has not responded to the questionnaire yet. health professionals and training and into the school system. Put mental health on an equal insurance footing. House District 6 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Require the Attorney General to enforce the law as a requirement for licensing. (R, Incumbent) Matt Schaefer has not responded to the questionnaire yet. NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

Julie Gobble (D) House District 33 Julie Gobble has not responded to the questionnaire yet. Justin Holland (R, Incumbent) Justin Holland has not responded to the questionnaire yet. House District 8 (R, Incumbent) Andrew Rose (D) Cody Harris has not responded to the questionnaire yet. Andrew Rose has not responded to the questionnaire yet.

R. Edwin Adams (L) House District 58 R. Edwin Adams has not responded to the questionnaire yet. DeWayne Burns (R, Incumbent) DeWayne Burns has not responded to the questionnaire yet. House District 10 (R) Cindy Rocha (D) Jake Ellzey has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 1. System Capacity: We must accept Medicaid funding that Texas currently refuses. That should be a starting point. Then getting Matt Savino (L) providers to areas that need help the most perhaps with college 1. System Capacity: I don't have a solution or remedy of my own debt relief as an incentive. but I'm open to hear any ideas there are. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Lawmakers must understand 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: No response. in layman's terms the harm that is done to our citizens because we 3. Criminal Justice: We need a recovery program. Rehabilitate continue to ignore mental health. Follow the laws that are in place, people in jails and prisons not just hold them. Other countries and strengthen or change them. even areas in the US have done this with great success. 3. Criminal Justice: Early diagnosis and treatment should help to 4. Housing: Stop limiting and putting restriction on agencies, divert many. Non-violent criminals should be reassessed. private programs and organizations that the government thinks it 4. Housing: Professional diagnosis, treatment, placement in needs to get involved in. More can be done if government is not available housing. Ask groups that have the experience, salvation obstructing it. army and night shelters, for their help, ideas and opinions in what 5. Early Intervention: It is not the job of government to get has worked best. involved and I will do whatever I can to get government out of the 5. Early Intervention: We have to be able to diagnose earlier to way. help and to prevent crisis. Parents, counselors, teachers, 6. Access to Health Care: Cut the red tape of government getting pediatricians concerns should not be ignored. in the way and let the free market handle medical needs. 6. Access to Health Care: Start with accepting Medicaid funding. Incentives to serve our underserved. Circuit doctors, telemedicine, broadband. Emphasize preventative care and ask those that are NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region actually doing the work and providing services what may work WiFi internet, including remote rural areas. Online ZOOM best. counseling and also construction of independent, free standing Wifi kiosk booths would also be built for patients House District 61 who do not have access to internet. These kiosks would be Phil S. King (R, Incumbent) scattered throughout the district and be linked to mental Phil King has not responded to the questionnaire yet. health professionals, physicians, NP's, PA's, educational support facilities and teaching hospitals like UT Christopher Cox (D) Southwestern. Christopher Cox has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: 1) I would begin preparing Texas for a Public Option health insurance program, to complete with private sector House District 62 insurance corporations, which currently are under no legal Reggie Smith (R, Incumbent) obligation to compete with each other. Texas insurance Reggie Smith has not responded to the questionnaire yet. companies do not compete with each other. They collude to fix prices with fellow "competitors" both inside and outside Gary D. Thomas (D) markets and state lines. All Texas insurance companies are 1. System Capacity: exempt from anti-trust laws (see McCarren-Ferguson Act). 1) I will introduce a Texas House Bill to establish a I would work to immediately repeal the MCCARREN- medical tuition waiver program for anyone seeking any FERGUSON ACT in Texas. type of medical professional degree/certification or registry. Modeled on the current federal USPHS 'Costep" 2) I would immediately start funding all medical and program, graduates get 100% tuition waivers when they mental health by accepting the MEDICAID EXPANSION work and equal number of years servicing underserved in Texas. The Republican led has rejected communities throughout Texas. Years worked must equal the ME every year for the past ten years. That's $10 billion the same years of training and education. There is no a year left on the table, $100 billion total to date. The ME is restriction on type of healthcare profession, up to and a payroll deducted tax rebate program that is supposed to including Ph.D., NP, PA, MD and DO. Graduates are paid reimburse our rural hospitals for all their unpaid indigent full time with full benefits, during this COSTEP work off care. By refusing this critical healthcare tax rebate, the (R) period. Republicans are constantly defunding these Texas House has caused 27 Texas Hospitals into COSTEP type programs to eliminate them. I would reverse bankruptcy and foreclosure. The Clarksville Hospital in that, and expand it greatly. Red River County closed their doors forever this year. More hospitals, still struggling may be shut down by 2022. 2) I would also push for free/low cost rural Broadband 5G NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

not something to be afraid of. It can be done and it can be 3) We use the Public Option until MEDICARE-FOR-ALL successful. becomes law. I am 100% for M4A. I have over 20 years 5. Early Intervention: My answers above cover this. M4A, work experience in the medical and insurance fields. I have COSTEP educations, rural broadband internet are where you start. been a registered ultrasound tech since 1995, and I perform Accepting the MEDICAID EXPANSION is where you start. In exams daily, on the mentally challenged, psychiatric rural Texas about one in every ten (1:10) primary and secondary patients, prisoners as well as the regular public. The more school children are not Shelter Secure. In some areas, a tenth of people we have covered with healthcare insurance, the any school population is a homeless population. These kids are cheaper it becomes for everyone. shuffled from house to house every night. Some kids sleep in cars 3. Criminal Justice: at night. Reading disabilities and other problems spin off 1) I would re-allocate law enforcement funds to develop and uncontrollably. Hunger is a problem. One girl became so expand mental health representation among all law embarrassed, she dropped out of school altogether. She got head enforcement agencies, including County Sheriff's lice sleeping in a car, and had to have her head shaved. The other Departments. All State law enforcement grants would be children made fun of her until she cried. So she left school, for withheld until the county and city law enforcement passes good. This should not be happening in America. the guidelines set by NAMI and NASW. Mental Health professions should represent a minimum of 25% of any An expanded Texas Mental Health Program would partner Texas police force. therapists with educators to spot and assist challenged children. I had a rather severe reading disability as a child, that I did not 2) Funding, training and employment of these Criminal correct until my second year of college. It still revisits me from Justice Mental Health professionals could be positioned in time to time. So I know how bad this can get when left underserved, 'trouble spots' using a Texas version of the undiagnosed. USPHS "COSTEP" educational model, that I mentioned 6. Access to Health Care: Yes. We are #1 in the USA in the above. uninsured. You've read my answers above. So let me conclude that 4. Housing: Many success stories are already happening around our greatest enemy is - ourselves. We must take back the Texas Texas, where federal and state grants for new construction are tied House, and begin turning Texas BLUE. We must educate the to a percentage of low-income housing construction. It is public to the evils of medical billing COST SHIFTING. We must happening here in Denison, my hometown. The cottages are better explain that it is a FISCAL issue. Taxpayers are paying beautiful and well built. And many are built within or near the twice for the poor's healthcare. By our (R)-Legislature not tourist spots and historical heritage neighborhoods. This makes for accepting the ME annual rebate reimbursements, not only are you a fun and interesting diverse community. Low income housing is denied the funds taken out of your payroll deductions, but you pay AGAIN when the poor are treated at our local hospital. The NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region hospital (to keep from going bankrupt) will jack up their prices on on the local level. These would serve in coordination with local those folks with employer based health insurance. And the health MHMR representatives and could possibly become a resource to insurance companies will jack up the prices on your premiums and ease the burdens on local law enforcement and hospitals. also increase your co-pays, annual deductibles, while reducing 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Much like maintaining your services and in-network provider options. Your property taxes physical health, we need options that make mental health care and sales taxes also skyrocket when your public county hospitals affordable. I believe a starting point could be programs that don't get paid. Fire and Police departments also get stressed. We provide low-cost, entry-level education on mental health and must do a much better at explaining how medical COST encouraging preventative practices. Many Texans are not aware of SHIFTING works. It fleeces the regular middle class tax paying small changes that can be made in their daily lives to improve Texan, in ways he/she is totally unaware of. mental health and don't have local organizations promoting these resources. If I were elected, I'd try and get on the State Health House 3. Criminal Justice: The biggest challenge is keeping these Committee and advance a year long, broad based public individuals engaged in programs that improve mental health and educational campaign (advertising, radio, TV, public relations, provide stability. Often times, when someone completes a prison internet blog, etc.,) to explain to how not having healthcare fleeces sentence they lose the mental health care they were receiving; or the finances of the average working Texas taxpayer. the conditions outside of prison prevent them from easily accessing MHMR resources. One possible solution would be to create a House District 63 connectivity component through the Board of Pardons & Parole (R, Incumbent) that helps these individuals continue to seek mental health Tan Parker has not responded to the questionnaire yet. treatment as part of their parole program. 4. Housing: As a veterinarian, I am trained to treat the root cause, Leslie Peeler (D) not just the symptoms. Providing housing is only a portion of the Leslie Peeler has not responded to the questionnaire yet. equation and fails to address the underlying cause. It all comes back to providing access to care that gets these individuals on a path to health and self-sustaining wellness. House District 64 5. Early Intervention: Early education about the positive effects (R, Incumbent) of diet and exercise on mental health is a great start. We also could 1. System Capacity: I have a proven record of supporting policies do a better job of educating our children on biology and how our that increases funding and expands care options for mental health brains function. We easily recognize the extreme examples of in Texas. As a state representative for a State Supported Living mental health reaching crisis. It's the understanding and Center, I am committed to protecting funding for these institutions. recognition of early warning signs -- be it by parents, relatives, I am open to discussing policies that open the door for community mental health clinics, similar to free health clinics that are operated NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region friends, teachers or other caregivers -- that could truly impact the Sharon Hirsch (D) number of people reaching a crisis point. 1. System Capacity: First of all, expanding Medicaid would make 6. Access to Health Care: Technology, I believe, could be the over a million more Texans eligible for health care. Expanding the missing piece of this puzzle. The expansion of telehealth services, I use of tele-health either through video or over the phone could believe, is a quick solution to both access to care and affordability make services more available and more comfortable for those who -- especially when it comes to mental health. Repealing the hesitate to meet in person. We could also partner with area regulations that block this access to care could be a major leap nonprofits to provide incentives to practitioners willing to work in forward on both of these fronts. rural and underserved areas. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: At a minimum, we have to Angela Brewer (D) ensure oversight, enforcement and compliance with state and Angela Brewer has not responded to the questionnaire yet. federal law. Requiring insurance plans to cover mental health and prohibiting insurance policies that are short-term or have limited House District 65 benefits are options. We should increase funding to Medicaid (D, Incumbent) providers and community-based services. 1. System Capacity: Medicaid expansion, last session I worked on 3. Criminal Justice: I will continue the progress made in the 86th a tele medicine bill that would have helped fill gaps in rural areas legislative session to increase funding that helps local governments 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Medicaid expansion, county keep nonviolent individuals with mental illness out of jail and into by county Medicaid expansion option treatment plans. 3. Criminal Justice: Increase funding for county mental health 4. Housing: I’ve long supported group housing that offers facilities, Medicaid expansion treatment and long-term solutions to address the needs of the 4. Housing: We need a homeless shelter in Denton County, chronic homeless. So many of these individuals suffer with severe Medicaid expansion health issues that require extensive interventions. Being in safe 5. Early Intervention: We need to get additional funding to our surroundings with coordinated care over an extended period of public schools for these programs time offers stability and the best path to positive outcomes. 6. Access to Health Care: We need Medicaid expansion 5. Early Intervention: I agree with your position that schools can serve a critical role in identifying and treating children with mental Kronda Thimesch (R) health conditions. They also have the opportunity to provide Kronda Thimesch has not responded to the questionnaire yet. education regarding mental health and options for treatment to students and families. In my community, the school district piloted a tele-health program for students in secondary schools so they House District 66 could continue sessions with their therapists without leaving the (R, Incumbent) campus. The key here is providing schools with the resources they Matt Shaheen has not responded to the questionnaire yet. NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region need to be most effective. We frequently ask our schools to do too 3. Criminal Justice: Instead of regular police officers responding much with very little. Texas has a long history of underfunding to mental health calls, we need other professionals who are trained education and we must reverse that course. in mental health and de-escalation tactics to respond. Every 6. Access to Health Care: As I mentioned in the first question, it’s municipality needs this resource so that we can reduce the amount critical that Texas expand Medicaid. Rural clinics and hospitals of unnecessary arrests that are made. Our judicial system also have shuttered due to uncompensated care cost. I also think it is needs to have diversion programs for people who have severe unconscionable that our state is fighting in court to dismantle the mental health issues so that we can avoid placing them in prison. Affordable Care Act. We must stop spending millions of taxpayer Lastly, we need broader resources across the board to treat dollars to deny insurance to Texans while other states have been people’s mental health issues so that we can prevent incidents that proactive and innovative in improving health outcomes. involve the judicial system. 4. Housing: We need more funding for housing programs for Shawn Jones (L) people who are mentally ill, such as group homes and other Shawn Jones’ contact information could not be found. settings. We need to ensure that people with mental illness or substance use disorders are not discriminated against when they House District 67 are looking for housing. We also need to dramatically increase (R, Incumbent) access to treatment for mental health issues so that people will Jeff Leach has not responded to the questionnaire yet. have the support they need and have a better chance of staying housed. Lorenzo Sanchez (D) 5. Early Intervention: We need universal healthcare so that 1. System Capacity: Expanding Medicaid is one way that we can everyone can get the care they need. Many Texans do not see strengthen the healthcare networks in rural areas, by infusing more doctors for mental health issues because of prohibitive costs, and federal money into the system. We also need to provide grants to this definitely plays a role in delayed diagnosis. I also support students who are studying to go into these fields, with the increasing funding for our schools so that they can hire more contingency that they stay in Texas after graduating. I also would counselors and support staff who can work with students who may like for Texas to add incentive pay through Medicaid for service have a mental health issue and refer them to a doctor if an providers in rural areas to encourage more professionals to move evaluation is needed. out there and do this work. 6. Access to Health Care: I support the immediate expansion of 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: The Texas Legislature should Medicaid in the 2021 legislative session. I also support increased explore more oversight for insurance plans, including fines or funding for health care plans for our teachers and state employees, penalties for managed care organizations who are declining to so that the plans will cover more of the costs of mental health cover mental health treatment for their patients. services. In addition, I am advocating for a universal healthcare NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region program in Texas that would ensure all Texans have health care needed. I would also support putting in place a meaningful way for coverage at all times, including for mental health. consumers to seek redress when they are harmed by the failure to provide parity. House District 68 3. Criminal Justice: This is one of the most serious contributing Drew Springer (R, Incumbent) factors to the mental health crisis in our state. It seems it's easier to Drew Springer has not responded to the questionnaire yet. lock sick people up than it is to treat them. Our jails and prisons should not be the front line options for mental health patients. I Patsy Ledbetter (D) support a putting in place a system that identifies those in need 1. System Capacity: First, I would strongly support Texas' early on in the criminal justice system so that the mentally ill are expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act--this redirected to mental health providers. I would seek help from is primarily why I decided to run for office. Many of my experts in groups like yours in working out details on how to make constituents do not seem to be aware that this an option because this happen. our political leaders so rarely even discuss it. 4. Housing: This is a predictable result from the overall Existing mental health services in my district are woefully inadequacy of Texas' failure to have in place the means of underfunded, and providers are underpaid. I would work for identifying, referring and staffing agencies that can intervene prior expanded state support because rural communities like mine to full blown mental health crises. I think the best approach would cannot afford the level of care we need. We can't attract care be early treatment to prevent a mental health issue from escalating providers without adequately compensating them. I volunteer for until the sufferer loses everything, but I understand the difficulties the local family violence shelter, for example, so I see the impact in detecting a crisis before it becomes overwhelming, especially our state’s refusal commit to a strong program has on the quality of when complicated by poverty. I know that without family support life overall in our community. and economic resources, my own family crises could easily have led to homelessness. When a mentally ill person is identified Like most Texans, my own family has faced mental health crises. I among the homeless, a system should be in place to provide know that no family should have to worry about being destroyed treatment at that time, meaning that treatment must be an integral financially while confronting the emotional turmoil of dealing with part of any program for addressing homelessness. Again, I would a loved one in crisis. Thank you for all you do to alleviate this rely on the experience of those who work in this field to provide burden. details and procedures for putting this in place. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I would advocate 5. Early Intervention: We need more school counselors and better strengthening state oversight of insurance companies to prevent trained personnel to identify problems and work with parents to get them from avoiding the laws that require parity. A federal law help. My son is a lead teacher in a school for emotionally disturbed must receive local support in order to be meaningful, and the state children so I have personal insight into just how serious mental of Texas has not shown the commitment to enforcement that is illness is for children and how inadequate our care for them is. I'm NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region so proud of the work he does but I also see how tired he is at the the mental health crisis, inviting experts in the field to explain the end of the day and how discouraged he can become when help is problems in an non-partisan, fact-based approach. Would your not available for kids he loves. organization be interested in participating in such a forum? I will, of course, invite my Republican opponent to participate also. My A serious problem in dealing with children is the shortage of goal is for the campaign to demonstrate that health care, especially mental health care providers available to help them specifically. I mental health care, is not just an individual problem but a quality have a friend whose pre-teen daughter has been diagnosed with of life issue for the entire community. mental illness. He has almost gone bankrupt trying to get her help and has to drive over an hour just to see a psychiatrist for a few House District 70 minutes a few times a year. (R, Incumbent) Scott Sanford has not responded to the questionnaire yet. I teach in a community college and have noted an increase in the number of students dealing with mental health problems. While we Angie Bado (D) have an excellent counseling staff, they do not have the personnel Angie Bado has not responded to the questionnaire yet. to deal with this escalating crisis, and when about 30% of college age youth have no insurance it is almost impossible to get them House District 89 help. 6. Access to Health Care: First and foremost, I would demand the (R, Incumbent) expansion of Medicaid in Texas. I determined I had to run for Candy Noble has not responded to the questionnaire yet. office when I watched a young man die of skin cancer, a disease that could have easily been treated in a doctor's office if he had had Sugar Ray Ash (D) the resources or if Texas had expanded Medicaid. Our rural 1. System Capacity: Insist that Texas opt into the Affordable hospitals are dying because it is impossible to provide quality Care Act and take the $10 Billion that they refuse each year for medical care to people who can't afford it unless we get help Medicaid expansion. funding them. When the hospitals die, the entire community 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Follow the law. suffers. 3. Criminal Justice: Defund a portion of the police budget and apply those funds to hire professionals trained in dealing with I believe the first step to reform is in the campaign process itself. these patients. My goal is to run an issue-focused campaign that forces candidates 4. Housing: Allocate funds to Habitat For Humanity to build to address problems that actually impact Texans' lives, instead of more housing for the homeless. the name-calling and insult-trading process that our politics has 5. Early Intervention: Teach about mental illness in high degenerated into. For example, I intend to hold a public forum on school. NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

6. Access to Health Care: Insist that Texas opt into Obama professionals - the legislature must invest in mental health Care and expand Medicaid. response teams across our state. 4. Housing: Mental health services for our community members Ed Kless (L) experiencing homelessness are needed, especially as a growing Ed Kless has not responded to the questionnaire yet. number of Texans are unable to pay their rent during the current recession. A housing-first model for care is my focus because House District 90 safety and stability must be established alongside wraparound Ramon Romero (D, Incumbent) mental health supports. This session, I look forward to working 1. System Capacity: It is critical that we tackle the issue of mental alongside my colleagues in the House to find ways to expand and health provider shortfalls across our state this legislative session. support existing housing first models while keeping Texans who Texans are dealing with a recession, a global pandemic, and social are struggling financially in their homes. unrest - they need mental health supports now more than ever. My 5. Early Intervention: We need a mental health care system that office will support common-sense legislation that secures a living meets folks where they are, regardless of age. One concrete step in wage for mental health providers and makes internet access a this direction will be the provision of peer support services to reality for all Texans. In rural areas, internet access is particularly young people so that they can talk to someone that has lived with a crucial so that telehealth services can reach folks struggling with mental health condition. We must make these services available to mental health conditions and addiction. And in order to make sure young Texans so that they have the support they need to thrive. that we have the providers to help those folks, we need to pay a 6. Access to Health Care: Texans need Medicaid expansion and wide range of mental health providers a living wage. we need it now. We have waited too long while our governor plays 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Mental health care is health politics with our lives and wellbeing. We need postpartum care. I have fought against the stigma associated with mental Medicaid coverage for women up to 12 months, and we need health care on the house floor, in interviews, and in my time with increased coverage for children covered by Medicaid. I will fight the Texas Veterans Commission. I look forward to continuing that for all of these changes. fight this session by improving how we reimburse mental health care in our state and continuing to push for needed and overdue Elva Camacho (R) Medicaid expansion. Elva Camacho has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 3. Criminal Justice: The fact that our state's jails are the largest mental health provider is simply unacceptable. I will support the House District 91 enhanced provision of mental health services and mental health (R, Incumbent) first responders in our communities. When someone calls 911 Stephanie Klick has not responded to the questionnaire yet. because of a serious mental health crisis, we simply cannot ask our law enforcement professionals to act as trained mental health NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

Jeromey Sims (D) 5. Early Intervention: I will advocate for more adequate funding Jeromey Sims has not responded to the questionnaire yet. where our young people need it the most - in our schools. Within increased public education funding, we should include funding for House District 92 professionals who are trained to detect and treat these mental Jeff Cason (R) health issues before they reach a crisis point. Jeff Cason has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 6. Access to Health Care: The fact that Texas has the largest uninsured population in the country is not just ethically wrong, it’s Jeff Whitfield (D) economically irresponsible. We must accept the billions of dollars 1. System Capacity: One of my priorities if elected is increasing (of our own money, which we paid in taxes) from the federal affordable access to healthcare, which must include mental health government to expand health coverage in Texas. I will fight to treatment and services. I will work to make sure mental health expand access to affordable healthcare for every Texan. For this services are regarded as essential healthcare. We also must issue and of the issues mentioned in this questionnaire, I will seek adequately fund public sector services to ensure folks in rural and input from the professionals in this space, such as NAMI, to listen underserved areas who qualify for those services are receiving and learn how I can be the most effective in implementing satisfactory care and attention. practical changes as a state legislator. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I will support any efforts to make sure mental health services are regarded as essential Brody-Andrew Mulligan (G) healthcare. We must ensure that current law is enforced so that Brody Andrew-Mulligan has not responded to the questionnaire adequate mental health services are available to those who require yet. them. 3. Criminal Justice: I will encourage the creation and expansion House District 93 of trauma-informed prevention, diversion and treatment options to Matt Krause (R, Incumbent) reduce incarceration and recidivism rates among those with mental Matt Krause has not responded to the questionnaire yet. illness or addiction. I'd also advocate for the increased implementation of specialized mental health courts to encourage Lydia Bean (D) options other than incarceration. Lydia Bean has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 4. Housing: We should build upon the existing supportive housing infrastructure to more adequately meet the needs of those House District 94 individuals with mental illnesses. I will also advocate for more (R, Incumbent) vocational training and employment programs specialized for those Tony Tinderholt has not responded to the questionnaire yet. with mental illness, in order to provide a more stable work environment. NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

Alisa Simmons (D) 5. Early Intervention: The work starts in schools, we must offer Alisa Simmons has not responded to the questionnaire yet. more training to our teachers and counselors to identify and help get resources to students who may be dealing with mental health Jessica Pallett (L) conditions. We also must use schools as a way to educate parents Jessica Pallett has not responded to the questionnaire yet. on mental health and introduce them to programs, like those available through the CHIP program, that can help loved ones who House District 96 are at high risk. David Cook (R) 6. Access to Health Care: Texas should continue to support the 1. System Capacity: It is important that we find a way to expand expansion of programs that increase access to low cost telemedicine for mental health care. This would go a long way to preventative health services. Telemedicine will also be a key cog eliminate the travel issues that are faced in many rural and in increasing healthcare access throughout the state. Technology underserved Texas communities. We must also find ways to can assist us in ensuring that all Texans, regardless of where they increase funding for state schools and facilities that provide care live, are able to connect with high quality care. for those unable to care for themselves due to their mental illness. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I would work with our mental Joe Drago (D) health professionals to examine where, in our current law, we can 1. System Capacity: Access to mental healthcare and addiction make improvements to ensure parity between treatments for mental treatment is crucial in these areas. I support a collaborative effort health and physical health in our insurance plans. among those in the local community, mental healthcare providers, 3. Criminal Justice: Texas should start by bringing back state addiction treatment providers, and local officials to coordinate and schools to give individuals, and their guardians, a choice to place implement mental healthcare and addiction treatment in them in a facility that offers a safe, supervised environment, where underserved communities. Additionally, I support the expansion of they can get the care that they need to recover. In the 90s, when Medicaid in Texas so that all individuals in Texans have more funding was cut to these facilities, many were forced out onto the affordable access to quality healthcare, including mental healthcare streets with little to no additional assistance, where they were and addiction treatment. Funding the treatment of mental victimized. We must work to end the victimization and healthcare is just as important as any other type of healthcare. exploitation of those suffering from mental illness. Mental illness is a real health issue just like any other and should 4. Housing: In addition to increasing funding for state schools we be treated as such. Finally, the opioid crisis must be addressed so should look at adding community housing on campus so that as that early signs of addiction can be recognized and treatment individuals transition back to a more independent life they still provided. have access to critical mental health and job training resources to 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: As indicated above, coverage help them re-establish themselves as contributing members of for mental healthcare is just as important as coverage for any other society. health condition. Even many with employee provided insurance NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region plans are unable to obtain affordable access to mental healthcare stigmatizing mental illness is necessary so children and young needed. I fully support the expansion of Medicaid to support this adults can feel like there is hope, there is someone to talk to, and need and help close the gap of coverages being provided. there is a way out from how they are feeling. Additionally, we must take a closer look at private insurance and 6. Access to Health Care: For a state like Texas to have the the coverages provided to ensure that this health need is addressed highest uninsured rate in the country is unacceptable. Similar to appropriately. my response to question No. 1, the immediate expansion of 3. Criminal Justice: Pure and simple, those suffering from mental Medicaid in Texas is necessary. From there, improvements illness must be treated. The fact that some individuals needing regarding access, availability and affordability must be addressed treatment are incarcerated or justice-involved should not infringe on the local, state and federal level with private healthcare on one's basic human right to healthcare and mental healthcare. providers to make sure that those in underserved areas are able to The treatment of such individuals during their time in the justice get the mental healthcare they need. system will lead to reduced recidivism and hopefully address underlying issues in individuals that hinder their continued growth Nelson Range (L) and meaningful contribution to their communities. Nelson Range has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 4. Housing: This is a community effort. I will work with cities and counties to implement and sustain an outreach program to the House District 97 homeless community. Unfortunately, homelessness is becoming an (R, Incumbent) ever increasing issue. Mental illness can sometimes be the cause Craig Goldman has not responded to the questionnaire yet. and/or the product of homelessness. Without a real concentration of services from the community through the local government, the Elizabeth Beck (D) state and various non-profits, people trapped in the cycle of Elizabeth Beck has not responded to the questionnaire yet. homelessness with mental illness have a hard time escaping. A community that takes care of its own, no matter what, is a Rod Wingo (L) community that thrives to be a better place for all people living Rod Wingo has not responded to the questionnaire yet. there. 5. Early Intervention: Early intervention is the key. School House District 98 administration needs to be keenly aware that these issues are real in children, adolescents and young adults. Many are often silent (R, Incumbent) because of the fear and stigma so often unjustly associated with Giovanni Capriglione has not responded to the questionnaire yet. mental illness. Community based and school based mentorship programs and outreach focused on the most vulnerable is necessary Debra Edmondson (D) to treat mental health issues before severe consequences occur. De- 1. System Capacity: The state needs to help create a strong mental health care system by offering greater incentives to join the mental NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region health workforce. We can offer incentives for people to return to 5. Early Intervention: Texas should pay for extra training for their own communities and expand the loan repayment program health professionals who work in the schools so they can spot passed by the Legislature in 2016. We must also also create potential mental health conditions in students. Implicit in the incentives and expand training programs for "community health public health model is the identification of risk and protective workers" in rural areas who have limited training but can work factors—whereby risks increase the likelihood of a problem and with people with chronic diseases. protective factors help to enhance resilience and/or mitigate such 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: The state can pass a mental risks. Family physicians must also have access to training in how health parity bill wherein insurers will have to prove that their to recognize mental illness in patients at a young age. behavioral health coverage is on par with what they offer for 6. Access to Health Care: Texas must begin to accept the full physical ailments and require the companies to submit annual amount of Medicaid money available to them. This was already reports to the state. critical before the pandemic but since the pandemic started another 3. Criminal Justice: The state should establish integrated data 1.4 million Texans have lost their health insurance. systems to maximize good outcomes and prevent people from falling through “gaps” in the system. Data-driven strategies to House District 102 divert low-risk offenders with mental illness from the criminal Ana-Maria Ramos (D, Incumbent) justice system to appropriate care should be established and Ana-Maria Ramos has not responded to the questionnaire yet. instituted. Law enforcement officials and first responders must also be trained with protocols to assess and divert people to service Linda Koop (R) providers rather than the default of the criminal justice system. 1. System Capacity: I will work to increase telemedicine mental Examples of gaps include people being incarcerated without health services. I will also propose more mental health psychiatric knowledge of the person’s mental health history and treatment slots at our medical schools and loan forgiveness programs for plan, people being released from incarceration into the community those professionals willing to practice in underserved and rural without any effort to coordinate with the mental health system to areas. ensure follow up services, etc. 2.. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Propose legislation that 4. Housing: The state must work with local governments and help addresses increasing mental health coverage. them establish programs to connect homeless people having a 3. Criminal Justice: I will expand mental health courts and mental illness with vital services including talking with trained encourage neighborhood mental health treatment groups. social workers who can identify and assess them and then work to 4. Housing: Continue to work on adding SROs to the mix of low provide them with the appropriate assistance. Social workers serve income housing with wrap around services. in emergency rooms, libraries, shelters, jails, and food banks to 5. Early Intervention: I helped get a UTSW mental health help those in need. program in RISD. The program is a required program for every middle aged student. It teaches them how to handle anger, stress NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region and other issues that could trigger mental health issues. 3. Criminal Justice: My home district is in Dallas County. Our Additionally, it helps identify children who are having difficulties. court system is blessed to have diversionary programs which are 6. Access to Health Care: I will expand Medicaid for the not only supported by the judges but also by the District Attorney's uninsured. Office. One of the many diversionary programs is for mental illness. Those who are mentally ill need services not imprisonment. House District 103 It's a disgraceful statistic that the County Jails in Harris and Dallas (D, Incumbent) are the biggest providers of care to the mentally ill in Texas. Rafael Anchia has not responded to the questionnaire yet. Equally disgraceful is the fact that the biggest provider of mental health services to our youth is Juvenile Detention. Programs like Jerry Fortenberry II (R) those in Dallas County should be replicated throughout the state. Jerry Fortenberry II has not responded to the questionnaire yet. 4. Housing: The City of Dallas has invested in a custom housing project for the mentally ill. It will be worth watching to see if that can be a model for housing for the mentally ill. House District 105 5. Early Intervention: Increasing the number of counselors in Thresa “Terry” Meza (D, Incumbent) schools would help. Peer-to-peer programs have also had some 1. System Capacity: As a new member of the House Agriculture success. Universities such as UT Arlington offer free counseling Committee, I was pleased to learn that the committee is about more for their students. than crops and cows, but also is concerned with the quality of life 6. Access to Health Care: My voting record shows my support for in our rural areas. Of course, this includes health in general and the expansion of Medicaid in Texas as the best way to address our mental health in particular. The pandemic has exposed fault lines high number of uninsured. Expansion of access to health care not that already previously existed but were made more pronounced by only helps the uninsured individual but it also helps the hospital to the virus. One of those is lack of access to health care. Our be reimbursed for patient care. It will also help address the loss of committee supports the use of telemedicine in underserved areas. hospitals in small towns in rural areas. It is our intent to support the Having worked in the past on the education team for the Tarrant expansion of Medicaid again in the next session. Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, I understand the value of having someone to talk to during times of sadness and stress. Gerson Hernandez (R) Telemedicine helps provide that sympathetic ear. I would also add Gerson Hernandez has not responded to the questionnaire yet. the allocation of more funds to address the shortage if it were not for the budget shortfall this next session. House District 106 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Since state and federal law already requires parity, improving coverage will necessitate (R, Incumbent) increased enforcement. Jared Patterson has not responded to the questionnaire yet.

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

Jennifer Skidonenko (D) officer with specialized mental health training is called to assist an Jennifer Skidonenko has not responded to the questionnaire yet. individual in a mental health crisis, are already being implemented in HD108 and in a growing number of urban police agencies. I House District 107 support this type of community-based policing, and will support (D, Incumbent) the state funding that will be needed to help fund these types of Victoria Neave has not responded to the questionnaire yet. mental health models including diversion courts to better address the full scope of mental health needs. Samuel Smith (R) 4. Housing: Our own county has begun to address this issue and Samuel Smith has not responded to the questionnaire yet. through the District Attorney's office following a similar model in Harris County. Housing, wrap around services, making sure mental health professionals are available and providing funding for both House District 108 are some of the ways we are addressing a mental health care crisis Morgan Meyer (R, Incumbent) locally in HD108, but at a state level that continued funding, Morgan Meyer has not responded to the questionnaire yet. grants, and advocacy will be needed in Austin. 5. Early Intervention: Part of advocacy in Austin is making sure Joanna Cattanach (D) that the public tax dollars used better address real issues our 1. System Capacity: Immediate expansion of Medicaid and students face, and the pandemic has only highlighted the need for extended telehealth services that includes expansion of mental health access, mental health services and a broader, stigma- broadband/Internet access to make these services accessible and free discussion on mental health needs in Texas. We cannot simply not interrupted by technical issues . I am from rural Texas and pretend this pandemic has not affected families including the stress know the limitations in these communities. We should also invest of job loss, loss of housing, online learning, etc. and this next in placement of individuals in these communities that could session is an opportunity to talk about the need for early include a student debt forgiveness for serving in under-served, intervention in schools and expanded mental health insurance rural communities. coverage. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: We must improve coverage 6. Access to Health Care: EXPAND MEDICAID ACCESS!! We for mental health care, especially in this pandemic as our children cannot keep denying the need for these tax dollars back into our and individuals are undergoing serious mental health issues and are health care system nor can we deny the partisan votes that stop the in need now more than ever. Beyond basic health care expansion needed expansion. As a former Medicaid recipient, as someone and telehealth expansion, being an advocate for comprehensive who has also been uninsured, I know the fear of not having health mental health services that are affordable and necessary is a care coverage and the danger it poses should you get sick. priority for me in Austin. 3. Criminal Justice: Mental health-centered policing models in which a mental health professional is sent with an officer, or an NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

Ed Rankin (L) 1. System Capacity: Where appropriate and possible, we should In these schools the Government would provide grants to give deregulate mental, along with other health services. This will help stipends to Instructors and students, would give tax breaks to the facilitate creative solutions. tech company for developing and providing new and innovated 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Additional deregulation of devices and technology that would assist the caregivers, and insurance will create greater competition among insurers and develop a program that pay for housing, and benefits for care plans. I also support the expansion of Health Savings Accounts to providers. expand insurance coverage. As for the addiction, In these same schools ,I think we should use 3. Criminal Justice: Decriminalizing drugs would help keep some of the same initiatives to train the addicted, to teach the people from being incarcerated for victimless crimes. addicted, train the mental health to teach the mental health at a 4. Housing: Relax zoning and housing regulations to reduce the social level. cost of housing construction and allow the free market to offer 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: Thank you for that question, solutions. from a business and profit point of view I would be inclined to say 5. Early Intervention: Seems educating, parents, teachers and that coverage to treat physical illness, is probably less than mental school administrators on how to recognize early signs of mental health and substance use disorders, but if the law states and calls health issues. for equal treatment then coverage should be by the treatment, and 6. Access to Health Care: We need to implement Health Savings not the dollar. If elected I would initiate legislation to subsidize Accounts for all. These accounts could be subsidized by state and coverage to improve the coverage and help the dollar. federal governments to ensure everyone has access to healthcare. 3. Criminal Justice: Thank you for your question, If elected I would support and develop legislation for programs that would House District 109 work with that which was considered a crime to be an illness to Carl O. Sherman (Incumbent) identify and treat actions, educating lawmakers and policymakers Carl O. Sherman has not responded to the questionnaire yet. to the health conditions that cause actions and the different treatments, educate the individuals of themselves. Eugene Allen (R) 4. Housing: Thank you for your question, as temple director, who 1. System Capacity: Thank you for your question, I believe the has helped individuals with illness and homelessness. If elected, I approach to the shortage to mental health care workers, would be would love to see legislation that required, or reserved special to partner up with, Government churches, on-profits and homes for individuals diagnosed with mental illness with on site technology companies that would develop skills schools run by director and staff to assist with housing, and structured living, volunteers of Seniors who would be trained to be compassionate reporting developing care providers with incentives, and tax breaks on their homes. In living condition to policymakers to improve the life and condition these schools there would be treatment and services. of home life for individuals with disabilities and illnesses. NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

5. Early Intervention: Thank you for that question, If elected, I are classified the same as general practitioners for the purpose of would work for legislation to institute a program that would reward co-pay and deductibles. 2 year campaign of study to start early detection at the age of 12, 3. Criminal Justice: Part of this issue is because Texas has identify patterns of mental illness, develop strategy and treat by the eliminated mental health facilities, leaving those with only the jail age of 14. to render treatment. The city of Dallas has created a diversion 6. Access to Health Care: Thank you again for your question, If program where addiction related crimes are not treated by prison elected as Texas Representative, I will seek incentives, tax breaks but into rehabilitative therapy. This should be mandated and partnerships to develop micro-treatment centers ( hospitals). to throughout the state. provide quick and accessible treatment to health care. To reduce high insurance rates by reducing patient hustling, treat the This model should be instituted regarding mental health issues. compliant, don't drive up the bill. Pay for only what you need and Nonviolent offenders with mental health issues should be diverted get a good deal on that. into therapeutic programs and not incarcerated. 4. Housing: Texas is at a loss for rapid rehousing structures. It is House District 112 nearly impossible for people to maintain mental health intervention (R, Incumbent) without having a stable place to live. Therefore, we should Angie Chen Button has not responded to the questionnaire yet. prioritize providing rapid rehousing options in all areas of the state. Also, we need to have a central repository, if you will, of Brandy Chambers (D) information to be able to coordinate interventions and guide 1. System Capacity: My first priority is to expand Medicaid. outcomes. Houston was able to do this. Dallas is currently working People won't get treatment if they can’t pay for it. Expanding on it. By providing stable housing alternatives, we will be able to Medicaid will help with that. Secondly, I will work with maintain structure mental health therapy. professional associations and agencies to: 5. Early Intervention: Add funding to the public school budget to 1) speed up the credentialing process; allow (and mandate) one mental health counselor per campus (or 2) create and support loan forgiveness programs for service in rural up to 3 campuses- depending on campus size); provide paid areas; training for teachers for identifying mental health issues. 3) support tuition assistance programs with promise of service in 6. Access to Health Care: 1) expand Medicaid rural areas. 2) support financial assistance to cities and local governments to 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I will work with professional expand services to the public agencies to provide legislation which will require equal coverage 3) support existing providers by blocking punitive legislation for mental health treatment through standard insurance policies and aimed at abortion providers. not extra EAP coverages. Also, to ensure mental health providers

NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

Shane Newsom (L) 3. Criminal Justice: I will file House Bill 2405 again that asked 1. System Capacity: Try to relax some of the laws that will allow for more training for peace officers when dealing with the mental health providers to talk over phone or video. Support being homeless population. I conducted a Law Enforcement Listening pro active on mental health and no need to look down on people Series during the interim and I'm prepared to work with law with mental health issues. enforcement officers to make sure the right reforms are including 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I would try to remove some in the bill as we prepare to file this bill again, in the 87th of the laws that the government has put in place that restrict a good Legislative Session. free market of insurance plans and fixable payment for docs. 4. Housing: I will work with city officials to find and improve 3. Criminal Justice: Make sure each police area has the right housing opportunities for the homeless population and make sure information to send metal health areas then the jail cell. to include that as part of House Bill 2405, a bill I filed last session 4. Housing: If they are picked up by the police, have them take to that dealt with this issue. During my Law Enforcement Listening a mental health facility and not jail. There is only so much we can Series one of my police chiefs in House District 113 mentioned the do if the person does not want help. need for places to take homeless individuals or organizations that 5. Early Intervention: Be proactive about metal health and the they can work with to assist them with housing. I will work to symptoms. Voice the views of nothing wrong with having metal include these types of reforms in my bill, next session. health issues. 5. Early Intervention: I will be an advocate and help educate my 6. Access to Health Care: The issue is not being uninsured. The fellow Texans on early intervention for people experiencing mental issue is the high rates. High rates b/c of some of the laws that the illness. I believe that early interventions could save lives. government has put in place. I would try to remove some of the 6. Access to Health Care: I will continue fighting for Medicaid laws that the government has put in place that restrict a good free- expansion. market of insurance plans and flexible payment for docs. Will Douglas (R) House District 113 Will Douglas has not responded to the questionnaire yet. (D, Incumbent) 1. System Capacity: I will work with our hospital system leaders House District 114 and representatives to make sure mental health treatment and John Turner (D, Incumbent) services are a priority especially as needs arise as we continue John Turner has not responded to the questionnaire yet. through this pandemic. 2. Mental Health Coverage/Parity: I will advocate for mental Luisa del Rosal (R) healthcare and make sure equal treatment of mental health Luisa del Rosal has not responded to the questionnaire yet. conditions and substance use disorders is a priority when working with insurance companies. NAMI Texas #Vote4MentalHealth Region 2 Candidate Questionnaire For NAMI North Texas, NAMI Southern Sector Dallas, NAMI Grayson, Fannin & Cooke, NAMI Kaufman County, NAMI Tarrant County, and NAMI Texas of North Central Region

House District 115 Julie Johnson (D, Incumbent) Julie Johnson has not responded to the questionnaire yet.

Karyn Brownlee (R) Karyn Brownlee has not responded to the questionnaire yet.

Running Unopposed

Senate District 28 - Charles Perry (R, Incumbent) House District 1 – Gary VanDeaver (R, Incumbent) House District 59 - (R) House District 60 – Glenn Rogers (R) House District 95 – (D, Incumbent) House District 99 – (R, Incumbent) House District 100 – (D, Incumbent) House District 101 – Chris Turner (D, Incumbent) House District 104 – Jessica Gonzalez (D, Incumbent) House District 110 – (D, Incumbent) House District 111 – (D, Incumbent)