With the goal of reforming Medicaid by improving financial stability and patient care, Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday signed an executive order establishing the Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission.

The Commission will be tasked with evaluating the financial structure of the Alabama Medicaid Agency and identifying ways to increase efficiency while also helping ensure the long-term sustainability of the agency.  The Commission will make recommendations to Governor Bentley prior to the 2013 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature.

“We are committed to increasing efficiency, eliminating fraud and maintaining patient care,” Governor Bentley said.  “We believe we can deliver higher-quality care while also controlling costs.  The Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission will help us accomplish this.”

“The Commission will include members who are all dedicated to quality healthcare,” Governor Bentley added.  “We’ll listen to the perspectives o

Autumn activities such as Halloween and Harvest Day offer opportunities for young people to dress up in costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating. To prevent injuries often associated with these festivities, the Alabama Department of Public Health reminds parents about seasonal safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S.

The Addiction Coalition was chosen as the winner of the first-ever Celebrate Recovery Challenge. Its Real People, Real Stories online event was chosen by mental health stakeholders and the general public as the event that best embodied the purpose of Recovery Month by increasing awareness and decreasing stigma. Nearly 8,600 votes were cast in the inaugural challenge, hosted by ADMH as another component of Alabama’s celebration of National Recovery Month. Dr. Beverly Bell-Shambley, associate commissioner for the Division of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, said, “We are proud to recognize the Addiction Coalition for winning the Celebrate Recovery Challenge.