Public Policy Update: Healthcare Legislation Update: July 2, 2009
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July 2, 2009
July 7-8: National Call-In Days in Support of Healthcare Reform
HHS Rescinded Harmful Medicaid Regulations
National Council and Partners Submit Letter in Support of Medicaid Services Restoration Act
Mental Illness Chronic Care Improvement Act Introduced in House
Debate over Public Plan Option and Other Components of Health Care Reform Continues in Congress
National Council and Netsmart Technologies Submitted Comments on Definition of “Meaningful Use”
Senate Appropriations Committee Passes DOJ FY10 Appropriation Bill; Goes to Full Senate for Debate
National Council and Other Advocates Submit Comments on Medicare Model Part D Transition Letter
Healthcare Legislation Resources from the National Council
July 7-8: National Call-In Days in Support of Healthcare Reform
The National Council is joining with several other national organizations to support healthcare reform this year. July 7-8 are two of the first days back for Members of Congress from the July recess and it will be a critical time for healthcare legislation reform. The Finance Committee is scheduled to begin reviewing their version of healthcare reform and other key committees in both the Senate and the House will continue to review their versions of healthcare reform. Healthcare legislation reform must be voted for by the August recess to ensure its passage this year so it is important for you to let your Member know that you expect comprehensive quality affordable healthcare reform this year.
With almost 50 million Americans uninsured and millions more underinsured it is not only a moral necessity to pass healthcare legislation reform this year but an economic necessity. Healthcare reform legislation must include mental health and substance use disorder treatments in all levels of healthcare reform. Mental illness drains our economy of more than $80 billion every year, accounting for 15 percent of the total economic burden of all disease and alcohol and drug abuse contributes to the death of more than 100,000 Americans and costs upwards of half a trillion dollars a year.
It is important for people who know how essential healthcare reform is to speak up and have their voice heard to counteract interests which are working to maintain the status quo. To participate in the National Call-In Days July 7-8 simply call the toll-free number 866-210-3678 and ask to speak to your Member’s office; then ask to speak to the healthcare legislative assistant. Please remember to call between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm eastern to increase the chance that you will be able to talk directly to the health legislative assistant in your Member’s office.
The National Council has provided a couple of talking points below based on whether or not your Member is on a committee that will be debating healthcare reform in the coming weeks including: Senate Finance Committee, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, House Ways and Means Committee, House Energy and Commerce Committee and House Health and Labor Committee. Check the National Council's website, if you are not sure if your Member sits on a key committee.
Talking Points for Members of Key Committees
Senate: Finance & HELP
House: Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, & Health and Labor
- Comprehensive Healthcare reform is both a moral necessity and a necessity for the economic well being of our country
- Healthcare Reform must include mental health and substance use disorder treatments in all levels of healthcare reform
- Quality healthcare should focus on prevention, early intervention and treatment and management of chronic healthcare conditions
- Please support comprehensive affordable healthcare for all Americans as your committee reviews healthcare legislation reform
Talking Points for Other Members of Congress:
- Comprehensive Healthcare reform is both a moral necessity and a necessity for the economic well being of our country
- Healthcare Reform must include mental health and substance use disorder treatments in all levels of healthcare reform
- Quality healthcare should focus on prevention, early intervention and treatment and management of chronic healthcare conditions
- Please support comprehensive affordable healthcare for all Americans when healthcare legislation reform comes to the floor for debate and encourage all of your colleagues to do the same
HHS Rescinded Harmful Medicaid Regulations
The National Council has learned that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has rescinded several harmful Medicaid regulations including: parts of targeted case management, outpatient hospital and clinic services upper payment limit, and school-based services. The announcement was published in the Federal Register on Tuesday June 30, 2009. To see a summary of the Federal Register announcement and the status of the proposed rules on Rehabilitative Services Option and Medicaid Program Cost Limit for Providers Operated by Units of Government and Provisions to Ensure Integrity of the Federal-State Financial Partnership, click here.
The National Council is grateful to all our members whose advocacy of healthcare legislation over the last three years has resulted in this significant victory.
National Council and Partners Submit Letter in Support of Medicaid Services Restoration Act
The National Council and over 40 partner organizations submitted a letter in support of the Medicaid Services Restoration Act (S 1217) to Senator Debbie Stabenow who introduced the legislation on June 6, 2009. First introduced in 2008 in response to a series of extremely restrictive Medicaid regulations, S 1217 clarifies and protects vital Medicaid services for vulnerable populations such as children and youth involved in our nation’s child welfare and foster care systems, individuals with disabilities, and children and adults with mental illness. The legislation also provides a transparent funding stream for therapeutic foster care, the evidence-informed and highly effective placement for children and youth with serious medical, psychological, emotional and social needs.
Mental Illness Chronic Care Improvement Act Introduced in House
The Mental Illness Chronic Care Improvement Act (HR 3065) was introduced in the House by Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL) on June 26, 2009 and is currently co-sponsored by Reps. Kay Granger (R-TX), Candice Miller (R-MI), and Carolyn C. Kilpatrick (D-MI) Similar legislation was previously introduced in the Senate (S 1136), on May 21, 2009 by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). HR 3065/S 1136 would authorize a new $250 million, 4-year, Medicaid demonstration program in up to 10 States to improve the health outcomes and satisfaction of individuals with chronic mental illness, “such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major clinical depression, or such conditions with co-occurring substance abuse disorders.” States also have the option to expand their demo to other populations with mental illness or substance use disorders. Providers, such as Community Behavioral Health Organizations, would serve as the care coordination and managing entity.
National Council would like to thank Rep. Janice Schakowsky and Senator Debbie Stabenow for their leadership and Reps. Kay Granger, Candice Miller, and Carolyn C. Kilpatrick and Senators Mark Begich (D-AK), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Carl Levin (D-MI), and Bernard Sanders (I-VT) for their support on this important healthcare legislation bill. Stay tuned to the Public Policy Update to receive the latest information on the Mental Illness Chronic Care Improvement Act.
Debate over Public Plan Option and Other Components of Health Care Reform Continues in Congress
As the health care reform debate continues in Congress, one of the most discussed components of healthcare reform is the public plan option. While a detailed proposal for the public plan option has yet to emerge, a recent poll by the NY Times and CBS reveals that over 70% of Americans support a public plan option. However, when additional details are given and opponents’ arguments are presented on the public plan option the support for this healthcare legislation decreases.
Currently, the House Tri-Committee Healthcare Reform Discussion Draft includes a public plan option and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s healthcare legislation reform is also expected to include a public plan option. It is unclear whether the Senate Finance Committee’s healthcare legislation reform, expected to be released shortly after the July 4 recess, will include a public plan option or instead create a public co-op option.
For more information on the Tri-Committee’s and HELP Committee’s healthcare legislation reform read the healthcare reform article in the Public Policy Update on June 25, 2009. Review the Healthcare Reform Webpage on the National Council’s website to receive the latest news on healthcare reform.
National Council and Netsmart Technologies Submitted Comments on Definition of “Meaningful Use”
The National Council and Netsmart Technologies submitted comments to the Health IT Policy Committee, Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technologies (ONC) in response to the request for comments on the definition of “meaningful use” as it applies to health IT. The comments emphasized the importance of including behavioral health and substance use treatment providers in the definitions of “meaningful user.” The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide a reimbursement incentive for physician and hospital providers who are successful in becoming “meaningful users” of electronic health records (EHR).
The forthcoming definition of “meaningful use” is intended to set the direction of the Administration’s strategy for Health IT adoption. According to Dr. Blumenthal, ONC Director, “the definition will inform everything that we (ONC) do that is related to health IT, “including product certification, funding and technical support”.
View the National Council’s Economic Recovery Webpage to access the latest information on the health IT incentives.
Recidivism Reduction Act Introduced in House: Helps Restore Medicaid Benefits to Individuals Leaving Correctional Institutions
The Recidivism Reduction Act (HR 2829) was introduced in the House on June 11 by Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN); it was then referred to the appropriate committees. HR 2829 would ensure prompt access to Medicaid and Social Security benefits for persons with serious mental illnesses upon their release from jails, prisons or other correctional facilities. The legislation would also create incentives for state Medicaid systems to suspend, rather than terminate, Medicaid benefits during incarceration making it easier for the benefits to be restored to offenders with mental illness on release. To read the latest information on HR 2829 go to the National Council’s Criminal/Juvenile Justice Webpage.
Senate Appropriations Committee Passes DOJ FY10 Appropriation Bill; Goes to Full Senate for Debate
The FY10 appropriations bill for the Department of Justice (HR 2847) was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 25, 2009. The legislation would provide a $27.4 billion budget authority for the Department of Justice (DOJ). The legislation still has to be debated and voted on by the full Senate. Congressional leaders have indicated their strong desire to pass several of the appropriations bills before August so there is a strong chance HR 2847 will be voted on by the full Senate before the end of July.
For the latest information on the FY2010 budget visit the National Council's Federal Budget Webpage. Also see the National Council's Appropriations Fact Sheet.
National Council and Other Advocates Submit Comments on Medicare Model Part D Transition Letter
As a member of Medicare Access for Patients-Rx (MAPRx), the National Council submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Model Part D Transition Letter: Draft CY 2010. The transition letter is intended to inform Medicare Part D beneficiaries of the transition process and their transition rights when the prescription medications are not covered by their plan. MAPRx would encourage CMS to simplify some of the language used in the letter by removing references to “formulary” and “step therapy”. MAPRx also requests that CMS ensures the transition letter makes it clear that if an exception is granted it is good for the whole calendar year and the beneficiary will not have to keep filling the request. Additionally, CMS should ensure that if the exception is denied, the plan will let beneficiaries know in time for them to select another plan for the subsequent contract year and until the transition is made continuation of drug coverage is necessary, so there are situations where the transition period may need to be extended. Stay informed on changes to Medicare Part D healthcare legislation by visiting the National Council’s Medicare Webpage.
Healthcare Legislation Resources from the National Council
The National Council's website is frequently updated with issue briefs, letters, and other healthcare legislation materials of interest to members. Please take notice of these recent
updates:
NEW National Council and Netsmart Technologies submitted comments on the definition of "meaningful use."
NEW MAPRx submitted comments on the Medicare Part D Transition Letter: CY 2010
July 4th Editorial Template and Cover Letter Template which should accompany the editorial to your Members' of Congress offices.
Fact Sheets from the National Council's Fifth Annual Hill Day June 9-10,
2009
- Summary of National Council's Advocacy Priorities and Healthcare Reform Agenda
- Fact Sheet: Healthcare Reform and Parity Fact Sheet: Federally Qualified Behavioral Health Centers
- Fact Sheet: Co-Sponsor S1136 Mental Illness Chronic
Care Improvement Act - Fact Sheet: HIT Funding Initiatives
- Fact Sheet: Co-sponsor HR1011 Community Mental Health Services Improvement Act
- Fact Sheet: FY2010 Appropriations for Mental Health and Addictions
- Fact Sheet: Support $150 Million Increase in the SAPT Block Grant
- Fact Sheet: Support Increase Funding for Primary Care and Behavioral Health Integration
- Fact Sheet: Mentally Ill Die 25 Years Earlier on Average
Documents from the Public Policy Committee on June 9,
2009
- Primary Care and Behavioral Health Integration
- Healthcare Payment Reform and the Behavioral Health Safety Net-Full Report
- Healthcare Payment Reform and the Behavioral Health Safety Net-Fact
Sheet - Senate Finance Committee Comments on Healthcare Legislation Reform
- Final Coalition Comments on Parity
- National Council Parity Comments
Presentations for the Public Policy Committee Meeting on June 9,
2009
- National Council Policy Agenda Overview by Linda Rosenberg
- Medicaid Expansion Impact, The Urban Institute
- ARRA and HIT Funding, Kevin Scalia
- Healthcare Payment Reform, Dale Jarvis
- Parity, Alexa Eggleston
- Federal Appropriations Update, Alexa Eggleston
The National Council recently launched it's new Children and Youth Webpage on its website.
The National Council along with other health organizations recently sent a letter to Senator Baucus on the Finance Committee urging the inclusion of behavioral health in any HIT funding opportunities.
The National Council also supplied a letter template to members to email to key Members of Congress.
The National Council recently released a new Fact Sheet on the Mental Health Services Block Grant
