Public Policy Update: July 1, 2010
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July 1, 2010
Representatives Doris Matusi & Eliot Engel Introduce Bill for the Creation of Federally Qualified Behavioral Health Centers
On June 29, Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) introduced the Mental Health and Addictions Safety Net Equity Act (H.R. 5636), a bill to establish federal status for organizations that offer community-based treatment and supports for millions of poor and vulnerable persons with mental and addiction disorders.
The Mental Health and Addictions Safety Net Equity Act would establish standards for the creation of Federally Qualified Behavioral Health Centers and would ensure that FQBHCs receive minimum reimbursement that reflects the cost of actually delivering comprehensive prevention, wellness, treatment and support services to adults and children. FQBHCs would meet clearly defined national standards of care to receive such reimbursement. If enacted, this legislation would help safety net providers with federal status be better equipped to meet the significant increase in demand for mental health and addictions services that Medicaid and private insurance expansion included in federal healthcare reform and will generate. At least 1.5 million new patients are expected to be added to the caseloads of community behavioral health organizations nationwide as the insurance expansions take effect.
Reps. Matsui and Engel were honored as National Council Legislators of the Year at an awards ceremony on June 29 in conjunction with the National Council’s 2010 Public Policy Institute and Hill Day.
Nearly 500 National Council Members Ask Congress to Support Mental Health, Addiction Disorders at Hill Day 2010
Nearly 500 National Council members came to Washington, D.C. this week to meet with their members of Congress and advocate for adequate and effectively-funded services to help people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders live full and productive lives. As part of the National Council’s Sixth Annual Public Policy Institute and Hill Day, stakeholders — including persons with mental and addictions disorders, families, community members and healthcare providers — attended a full day of policy sessions and trainings, then traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with their legislators and discuss issues of importance to the behavioral health community.
The four legislative priorities for Hill Day 2010 included:
- Enlisting cosponsors for the Health Information Technology for Behavioral Health Services Act of 2010 (H.R. 5040), a bill that would help mental health providers access electronic health records grants and incentives established by last year’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The law restricts mental health organizations from using most of the incentives that help healthcare providers and hospitals establish a nationwide health information technology (HIT) system.
- Generating support for the creation of Federally Qualified Behavioral Health Centers (H.R. 5636). The centers would receive reimbursement for the costs of providing services to children and adults with mental health and substance use problems while meeting clearly-defined national standards to receive such reimbursement and meet increased demand for services.
- Supporting a $210 million increase in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and a $100 million increase in the Mental Health Block Grant.
- Requesting a six-month extension for the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) rates originally included in the economic recovery act. These rates are currently set to expire on Dec. 31, 2010, leaving many states without sufficient resources to meet high levels of demand for Medicaid services during the economic recession.
For more information about the National Council’s Hill Day, visit our Hill Day website.
