Honoring their service: behavioral health services in North Carolina for military service members, veterans, and their families.

The North Carolina Institute of Medicine Task Force on Behavioral Health Services for the Military and Their Families examined the adequacy of Medicaid- and state-funded services for mental health conditions, developmental disabilities (including traumatic brain injury), and substance abuse that are currently available in North Carolina to military service members, veterans, and their families. The task force determined that there are several gaps in services and made 13 recommendations related to federal, state, and local community resources. This article reviews the work of the task force and current efforts to improve services in North Carolina.

Spotlight on the safety net. Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services Agency.

Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services Agency, better known as Medic, provides emergency and nonemergency paramedic level medical services to the citizens of Mecklenburg County. Medic is part of a unique partnership between Mecklenburg County, Carolinas HealthCare System, and Presbyterian Health Care/Novant Health. Since fiscal year 1997, Medic has reduced ambulance response times, implemented higher clinical standards, and reduced the taxpayer subsidy per call by half The agency will answer more than 85,000 calls for medical help this year. Medic also conducts frequent community education programs on health, safety, injury prevention, and emergency-related issues.