With the temporary increase in federal Medicaid assistance to states set to expire on Dec. 31, both the House and the Senate have voted to approve legislation that would extend the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) increase. However, there are outstanding differences between the two bills that must be resolved before the FMAP extension can be enacted. House and Senate negotiators are working on modifications to the Senate-passed bill that could be voted on again by both chambers, potentially by Memorial Day. Meanwhile, at least 24 states are already counting on a 6-month extension of the FMAP rates in their 2011 budgets. Without an extension to the enhanced FMAP rates, states could face budget shortfalls and severe cuts to critical programs. 

 

We must keep the pressure on Congress to extend the FMAP increase without delay! Reps. Chellie Pingree, Tammy Baldwin, and Gene Green are circulating a Dear Colleague letter urging swift action on a 6-month extension of the enhanced FMAP rates. If you have not done so already, please contact your Representative today, and urge him or her to sign on to the Dear Colleague letter! 

 

 

 

The Parity Implementation Coalition, of which the National Council is a member, has submitted official comments in response to the Interim Final Rule (IFR) providing guidance on implementation of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act. The IFR, which was issued in January 2010, goes into effect for insurance plans with plan years beginning July 1 or later. In its comments, the Parity Implementation Coalition commends the Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Labor for crafting strong regulations to ensure the Parity Act is implemented in a manner consistent with the intent of Congress to bar discrimination against mental health and addictions benefits. The Coalition also offers recommendations for further strengthening the regulations, including: 

In addition, 8 Members of Congress have submitted comments to the Departments urging several key clarifications to the IFR. Click here to read their letter.

 

For additional information on the Parity Act and the IFR, see the Parity page of our website. This page includes a top-line summary and detailed legal analysis of the IFR, slides from our recent webinar on healthcare reform and parity, a comprehensive summary of the original Wellstone-Domenici Parity Law, and more.

 

 

 

On Weds., May 12 at 12pm eastern time, the National Council will hold a webinar with a representative from the VA to provide assistance in the development of proposals for its behavioral health contracting pilot project. The purpose of the pilot project is to contract for the acquisition of rural mental health services within targeted areas for eligible Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration, reside in rural areas, and do not have ready access to mental health services through VA Medical Centers and Clinics or Vet Centers. Contracted outpatient services will be provided at the contractor's facilities/locations. Services are expected to include peer outreach and peer support, outpatient mental health, readjustment counseling, and mental health day treatment. CBHOs in the following Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) are eligible for participation:

During this webinar, the VA will review the solicitation requirements and discuss the process for proposal submission. Information provided during the webinar is intended to assist in the development of proposals. The proposal deadline has recently been extended to June 7, 2010. Registration for the webinar is available online.

 

 

 

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week released a fact sheet for individuals explaining eligibility requirements for participation in the temporary high-risk insurance pools that were enacted under healthcare reform. The fact sheet also provides information on the limitations on premiums that may be charged for coverage in the high-risk pools, and a description of the role of the states in establishing and operating the pools. The high-risk pools will be available for individuals in all 50 states beginning July 1, but so far only 29 states have agreed to operate their own pools. The federal government will operate the pools in the remaining states. For additional information about the temporary high-risk insurance pools, see the National Council’s detailed issue brief on this topic.

 

 

 

The National Council would like to thank our members who responded to last month’s Action Alert urging their Senators to sign on to a Dear Colleague letter in support of Section 811 housing. The Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program is a critical federal program that assists the lowest income people with serious and long-term disabilities, including those with mental illnesses and addictions, to live independently in the community by providing integrated affordable rental housing linked with voluntary services and supports. However, the Obama Administration’s proposed budget calls for a temporary suspension of Sec. 811 capital advance funding for the new development of supportive housing units while certain reforms to the program are made. Without adequate funding, individuals served by this program could face homelessness, substandard housing, premature placement in nursing homes, or being forced to choose between paying for housing vs. other basic needs. The Dear Colleague letter, circulated by Senators Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) and signed by 25 additional Senators, urges the committee with jurisdiction over housing issues to appropriate $300 million for the Section 811 program in fiscal year 2011. 

 

 

 

The entire House and one-third of the Senate are up for re-election in 2010, and a recent spate of retirement announcements has added new uncertainty to the outcomes of the elections and the future of many federal policy issues related to mental health and substance use disorders. Join us at the 2010 Public Policy Institute and Hill Day for a look into the future of the midterm elections with expert political analyst and elections handicapper Charlie Cook. Widely regarded as a leading authority on U.S. elections and political trends, Charlie Cook is publisher of The Cook Political Report and a political analyst for NBC News.

 

At Hill Day 2010, Cook will speak on “The 2010 Elections Outlook.” With his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, Cook will share his insights on the parties’ 2010 prospects and what we can expect to see as election season heats up. In a balanced, non-partisan manner, Cook is known for furnishing audiences with the concrete information they need to hear about today’s political and legislative environments. The New York Times has called Cook “one of the best political handicappers in the nation” and noted that The Cook Political Report is “a newsletter that both parties regard as authoritative,” while Bob Schieffer of CBS News calls it “the bible of the political community.” Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Washington’s most trusted political analyst – register for Hill Day today!

 

 

 

On Weds., May 5, the National Council and other national mental health organizations co-hosted an event with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter for the release of her new book, Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis. This book summarizes the state of mental health in America, surveys the breakthroughs and progress that have improved life for individuals with mental illness over recent decades, and describes ongoing areas of need. Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) provided opening and closing remarks, highlighting the important role that Mrs. Carter continues to serve as an advocate for individuals with mental illness. Attendees at the event included local, state, and federal advocates, consumers and families, and staff from federal agencies.