State highlights: States push greater mental health spending after Sandy Hook; Wis. move to delay dropping some from Medicaid may save money

A selection of health policy stories from the states including news from Connecticut and Wisconsin.

Politico: Sandy Hook Spurs States' Mental Health Push
At least 37 states have increased spending on mental health in the year since Adam Lanza shot dead 20 children, six school employees and his mother in Newtown, Conn. It's not just about money, either. States are experimenting with new -- and sometimes controversial -- ways to raise awareness about psychological distress, to make treatment more accessible for children and adults and to keep firearms away from those struggling with mental illness (Simon, 12/2).

The Associated Press: Proposal Delaying Medicaid Shift Could Save State $23M
Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to delay kicking about 72,000 off of Medicaid would actually save the state about $23 million because of the plan's other component -- delaying expanding coverage to poor childless adults, according to an analysis. The Legislature's budget committee is slated to take up the proposal on Monday for the three-month delay (Bauer, 12/1).