Public Policy Update: May 14, 2009
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May 14, 2009
Key Senate and House Committees Heard Testimony on Healthcare Reform Last Week
HIT Appointments and Work on "Meaningful Use"
Deputy Secretary of HHS and Director of ONDCP Confirmed by Senate
Apply Now for Additional Second Chance Act Mentoring and Juvenile Services Grants
New Bill to Combat Eating Disorders and Obesity in Children Introduced in House
Reserve Your Hotel Room For Hill Day Now!
Recently Released Resources from the National Council
Key Senate and House Committees Heard Testimony on Healthcare Reform Last Week
The Senate Finance Committee held its second roundtable healthcare discussion on May 5, 2009, to discuss the need for universal insurance coverage. Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) said that he was heartened by the amount of agreement among the health experts who testified. They all agreed that the current individual insurance system was not working and the focus in the future needed to be on lowering healthcare costs and providing universal coverage according to CQ.com. The major part of the discussion revolved around what type of public plan option should be included in healthcare reform; however, many Republicans have indicated they are opposed to a public plan option that would compete with the private insurance market. Other topics covered include possible insurance market reforms, making coverage affordable, the role of public plans, shared responsibility, prevention and wellness, long term care services and support, and options to address health disparities.
In an early victory for our community, the National Council is happy to report the Committee’s paper released on May 14 specifically mentions mental health and substance use disorders. The paper included suggested minimum standards for all health insurance options, and states that all plans offered would be required to include "mental health and substance abuse services, which at least meet minimum standards set by federal and state laws." The National Council will continue to advocate on behalf of behavioral health inclusion in any healthcare reform effort.
Another healthcare round table discussion will be hosted by the Finance Committee on May 12 to continue to gather information and suggestions from stakeholders on healthcare reform. Senator Baucus intends to have healthcare reform legislation out of committee by the end of the summer and on President Obama's desk for his signature this year.
The House Ways and Means Committee also held a meeting last week to hear the testimony of Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, who testified on the public plan option. The term 'public plan' is a generic term to cover all government run health insurance plans offered in an insurance exchange system along with private insurance plans. Sebelius stated that a public plan option was necessary to cut costs and promote best practices. Furthermore, she suggested that the private insurance market currently has an unfair advantage as they do not face competition in many areas of the country and they are able to "cherry pick" and enroll only low cost customers and avoid high cost customers. Leaders in the House are also determined to vote on healthcare reform legislation before the end of the summer. Stay tuned to the Public Policy Update to learn the latest news on healthcare reform.
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Programs Receive Mostly Level Funding in Administration’s FY 2010 Budget; Two Critical Programs Slated for Elimination
As the National Council reported last week, President Obama released the detailed version of his budget last Thursday, May 7. Areas of interest include the following:
- The budget provides level funding for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SAPT) and the Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), $1.8 billion and $421 million respectively. The National Council is currently advocating for an increase of $150 million for the SAPT and $100 million for the MHBG.
- The largest decrease in funding to mental health and substance use disorders programs was the decrease in funding for the Department of Education’s Safe and Drug Free Schools State Program which would be eliminated in Obama's FY2010 budget. The National Council will continue to work to restore funding to this essential program.
- The largest increase in SAMHSA funding would go to Center for Substance Abuse Treatment’s (CSAT) Programs of Regional and National Significance (PRNS) which would receive an increase of $45.7 million; $35 million of which is designated for drug treatment courts to provide help to people with substance use disorders and divert them from the traditional incarceration system.
- Another program slated for elimination in the Budget is the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment Crime Reduction Act in the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Administration has proposed a combined program for Drug, Mental Health and Problem-Solving Courts and requested an increase of $9 million for a total of $59 million. The program would assist state, local, and tribal governments in developing multi-faceted strategies that bring courts together with other criminal justice, social services, and public health agencies.
To find the Administration's proposed funding levels for additional mental health and addiction programs see the budget chart the National Council has compiled. Also, stay tuned to the Public Policy Update and the National Council's Federal Budget webpage to get the latest news on the budget.
HIT Appointments and Work on "Meaningful Use"
David Blumenthal, the new National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, indicated that he had appointed several new members to the Health IT Policy Committee and the Health IT Standards Committee. The two committees were created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to provide guidance on creating and maintaining an interoperable health information technology system. Currently both Committees are scheduled to have their first meeting the week of May 11.
Blumenthal also announced that he expects to get guidance on the definition of “meaningful use” from the Committees early this summer. The definition of meaningful is important to organizations that are hoping to get money from the $2 billion in HIT discretionary funding created in the ARRA. The definition will help determine how the money is to be distributed and who can apply for the money. The term has to be defined and a way to measure it found by FY2011 so the funds can be distributed in the time frame outlined in the ARRA. According to Blumenthal the process is a large undertaking when the rulemaking process is expected to generate between 7,000 and 12,000.
For additional information view the National Concil's Fact Sheet on the HIT provisions in the ARRA and the letter to Congress the National Council sent in support of behavioral healthcare's inclusion in HIT funding.
Deputy Secretary of HHS and Director of ONDCP Confirmed by Senate
Last week, the Senate confirmed William Corr as the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Gil Kerlikowske as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). As the Deputy Secretary of HHS Corr would be the second in command at HHS where his management capabilities will be needed as HHS Secretary Sebelius focuses on healthcare reform. His experience includes working for the Clinton Administration as well as working for Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD). Most recently Corr worked at the director for Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Kerlikowske’s work experience will also benefit him in his new job as he sets drug control policy in the United States. Kerlikowske has 30 years of experience in law enforcement and was most recently employed as the chief of police in Seattle, WA. He has indicated his desire to combat drug use and crime through drug law enforcement and prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.
500 in all 50 states! Add Your State and Local Organization to Sign-on Letter in Support of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act
The Act4JJ working group of the National Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Coalition, is gathering signatures for a letter in support of S 678, the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2009. The coalition’s goal is to get 10 organizations in each of the 50 states for a total of 500 state & local organizations. The National Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Coalition, composed of juvenile justice, child welfare and youth development organizations, convenes the Act4JJ group of which the National Council is a member. The letter to Senate leaders on the Judiciary Committee is to urge passage of S. 678 this year. The JJDPA was originally passed in 1974 and was most recently reauthorized in 2002. The JJDPA Reauthorization Act was reintroduced this year in the Senate on March 24 by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Specter (D-PA).
S 678 provides needed help and services for youth in the criminal justice system. The legislation would further improve the conditions of confinement in juvenile facilities, provide comprehensive services and supports for youth, and strengthen the focus on prevention and intervention programming. The National Council strongly supports S 678 and previously sent a letter urging passage of the bill.
Sign onto the ACT4JJ letter now by sending an email to Shanta Gray at sgray@cfyj.org. The deadline to sign on is: 5:00 pm EST on Tuesday, May 19th.
Apply Now for Additional Second Chance Act Mentoring and Juvenile Services Grants
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently accepting applications for several Second Chance Act Grants. The grants include funds for mentoring adults, mentoring juveniles and a juvenile reentry demonstration project. The Second Chance Act Mentoring Grants is ONLY available to non-profits and federally recognized Indian Tribes; the deadline for applications is 8:00 PM EST on May 21, 2009. The Juvenile Mentoring Initiative is open to local governments and agencies as well as non-profit organizations; the deadline for applications is June 15, 2009 at 8:00 PM EST. The Youth Offender Reentry Initiative is only open to public agencies such as state agencies and local units of government; applications are due June 15, 2009 at 8:00 PM EST. More information about the Second Chance Act Grant opportunities can be found online.
New Bill to Combat Eating Disorders and Obesity in Children Introduced in House
On May 6, Representatives Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) and Nita M. Lowery (D-NY) reintroduced the Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act (IMPACT Act or HR 2276). The IMPACT Act was first introduced in 2002 in both the House and the Senate and aims to improve children’s physical and emotional health particularly in regards to eating disorders and obesity. Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) has indicated her desire to reintroduce the legislation in the Senate. Stay tuned to the Public Policy Update to learn how you can help support the IMPACT Act.
Reserve Your Hotel Room For Hill Day Now!
Although our room blocks at the Washington Court Hotel and the Liaison Hotel have only a few rooms left, the National Council has arranged for rooms in a third wonderful hotel to try and meet the great demand for rooms. Rooms can be reserved for only $269/night at any of the hotels when reservations are made by May 15, 2009.
- Washington Court Hotel: 202-628-2100, Group Code "National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care"
- Liaison Hotel: 866-233-4642, Group Code "NATCO"
- Phoenix Park Hotel: 800-824-5419, Group Code "13459
Already made your hotel reservations? Don't forget to register for Hill Day online. And remember to call your Members of Congress today to make an appointment for June 10th.
Recently Released Resources from the National Council
The National Council's website is frequently updated with issue briefs, letters, and other materials of interest to members. Please take notice of these recent updates:
NEW The National Council recently launched it's new Children and Youth page on its website.
NEW The National Council along with other health organizations recently sent a letter to Senator Baucus on the Finance Committee uring the includion 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.
NEW The National Council sent a Letter of Support to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary in support of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2009.
NEW The National Council recently released a new Fact Sheet on the Mental Health Services Block Grant.
The National Council has put together a multitude of informational resources for people applying for the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration RFA from SAMHSA. Members can access the materials via our Members Only section of the website.
The National Council just released three fact sheets on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The National Council just released a chart comparing the Omnibus Budget Bill introduced in the House with the FY08 budget and the FY09 budget released by former President Bush.
The National Council recently released a summary of the SCHIP Bill.
The National Council recently released a fact sheet on the Final Rule for the Federal Cost Sharing Rules. The rule gives states broader authority to charge premiums and higher co-payments for Medicaid.
The National Council recently released a resource guide, Veterans on the Road Home”, which equips you to reach out and to effectively serve Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. The book describes the physical, mental, economic, and social effects of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It presents detailed case studies of treatment organizations and associations with special expertise in and commitment to serving veterans and their families.
At the end of October, the National Council released a series of fact sheets on the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005:
-Overview of the DRA
-Expanded Medicaid Coverage Under the DRA
-Medicaid Services for Children Under the DRA
-State Implementation of the DRA
Meaningful Employment for Individuals with Mental Illness, a backgrounder from the National Council, provides information on the current employment status of individuals with mental illness, opportunities for career development, and federal initiatives to improve the chances of individuals with mental illness obtaining and keeping jobs.
The National Council recently released a fact sheet on the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 which provides a detailed explanation of the impact of this bill.
Please contact Chuck Ingoglia, Vice President, Public Policy, with federal policy questions.
The Public Policy Update is a weekly e-newsletter published by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. Managing Editor - Christina Hammond. Vice President, Public Policy - Chuck Ingoglia. Director of State Policy - Chris Loftis. Director of Public Policy - Alexa Eggleston. Director of Policy and Advocacy - Laura Galbreath.
