Public Policy Update: Public Policy Update-February 19, 2009
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February 19, 2009
On February 16th, President Obama signed the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) in Denver, CO. The bill was passed last week by both the House and the Senate.
The ARRA includes $87 billion for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) over the next 27 months. Of the $87 billion, 65% would be evenly distributed to states. The remaining 35% would go to states which have the highest unemployment rates due to the recession. See the initial projections for individual states. Additionally, the ARRA requires that states maintain current eligibility standards for the next two years.
The ARRA continues or creates moratoria on four Medicaid regulations including the Medicaid outpatient hospital regulation, targeted case management, provider taxes, and school-based administration and transportation services through June 30, 2009. Legislators also included a Sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should not promulgate three regulations concerning intergovernmental transfers, Graduate Medical Education, and rehabilitative services. It is hoped that this action will result in the Administration repealing these draft regulations.
Also included in the ARRA are the premium subsidies for COBRA. The subsidies would cover 60% of the premiums for nine months for eligible workers.
The ARRA also provides a onetime payment of $250 to Social Security beneficiaries and SSI recipients receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration and Railroad Retirement beneficiaries, as well as veterans receiving disability compensation and pension benefits from the Veterans Affairs.Read the letter the National Council signed on to in support of this measure. There was an additional $1.5 billion provided to help the SSI deal with a backlog of claims for eligibility.
The AARA includes $8.5 billion to fund additional research grants for the National Institute of Health (NIH). The funds are to be divided equally among the 27 institutes and centers at the NIH including the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM). Another $1.5 billion was provided to upgrade facilities at the NIH including facilities that will be used by NIHM.
The Health Information Technology (HIT) initiative received $19.1 billion in the ARRA. The HIT grants were included at the amount of $2 billion and the National Council was successful in including language to ensure Community Mental Health Organizations (CMHOs) are eligible for the grants. Stay tuned to the Public Policy Update to get more information on the National Council's comprehensive summary of the ARRA.
Read the summary provided by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
Read the entire ARRA Legislation.
Representatives Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) and Mike Castle (R-DE) along with 69 cosponsors reintroduced the Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunity Mentoring, Intervention, Support and Education or Youth PROMISE Act (HR 1064) on February 13. Companion legislation S 435 was also introduced in the Senate by Senators Robert Casey (D-PA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). S 435 was then referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Under the Act, communities facing high levels of youth violence and gang activity will form a Promise Coordinating Council (PCC) to help implement evidence based strategies to help youth deemed to be at-risk to become involved in or already involved in gangs or the criminal justice system. Efforts are aimed at encouraging positive behavioral changes in the youth.
The bill also includes law enforcement support through the Youth Orientated Policing Services (YOPS) a victim/witness protection service.
The White House has confirmed the nomination of Seattle’s Chief of Police, Gil Kerlikowske for the Drug Czar position. The director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is a cabinet level position and is responsible for helping to form the U.S. drug control policy. It is unclear when the Senate confirmation process of Kerlikowske will begin.
While the White House would not confirm the rumor, several sources have indicated that Tom McLellan has a strong chance of being named the deputy director of demand reduction at ONDCP. McLellan is a researcher who focuses on treatment quality and outcomes measurement.
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) Webinar Series
The Council of State Governments Justice Center is pleased to announce its second webinar in the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) Webinar Series
Fiscal Year 2009 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Applicant Webinar
This webinar is being offered a second time to give those who missed it earlier this month an opportunity to participate. The webinar will provide an overview of the JMHCP and the current FY2009 solicitation for potential grant applicants. BJA staff will highlight program eligibility, the required application materials, and other important information and resources.
Ruby Qazilbash, Senior Policy Advisor Substance Abuse and Mental Health Bureau of Justice Assistance
Rebecca Rose, Policy Advisor Substance Abuse and Mental Health Bureau of Justice Assistance
Chris Casto, Program Specialist Bureau of Justice Assistance
___________
February 26th, 2009
2:00-3:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time
To register, please follow the link listed below:
https://csg.webex.com/csg/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=963882110
*The event will have a limited number of attendees, so if there are multiple participants in one location, we recommend registering as one attendee and participating in the webinar together in an office or conference room.
For inquiries about this webinar or the webinar series, please contact: Elizabeth Meyer, Research Associate Council of State Governments Justice Center emeyer@csg.org
Opportunities with the National Council: Transition Age Youth
The National Council invites member organizations to apply for its Transition Age Youth Initiative, a three year project to implement and evaluate a model of providing integrated clinical and person centered support services to Transition Age Youth. The initiative will support the selected organization and its local system of care partners in developing integrated mentoring/coaching staff roles and services to improve youth's access to supported employment, vocational training, tutoring services, and other educational support services as well as interpersonal relationship and social skills training and support.
Download the Participation Application and submit to Christina Hammond by 5 pm, eastern time on Monday, February 23, 2009.
Questions? Contact Christina Hammond at 202.684.7457, ext. 235, or by e-mail.
Save the Date for Hill Day 2009: June 9-10
Every day, the National Council places a high priority on helping you do your job as a leader in the field of community behavioral healthcare by supporting you with new communications tools, increased emphasis on involving you in ongoing liaison with national decision-makers, and policy and research support for your efforts.
The National Council's Fifth Annual Hill Day is scheduled for June 9-10, 2009 - please save the date and plan to join your fellow National Council members in Washington for two days of events, designed to provide Hill Day participants with in-depth information on key issues:
On Tuesday, June 9, all Hill Day participants are invited to attend the National Council's Public Policy Committee meeting for a detailed overview of the National Council's Hill Day policy priorities. One-on-one Hill visit coaching will also be available for interested participants.
On Wednesday, June 10, Hill Day kicks off with an issue briefing before participants head to Capitol Hill to advocate for behavioral healthcare. The day concludes with a Capitol Hill reception honoring champions of mental health and addiction treatment services.
Make your Hill Day 2009 hotel reservations today!
Most Hill Day 2009 events will take place at the Washington Court Hotel, located on Capitol Hill. There are two ways to make your reservations at the Washington Court Hotel:
1. By phone: 202-628-2100
2. Online: http://www.washingtoncourthotel.com/
Be sure to ask for the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare room block to get our special group rate of $269 per night.
Bookmark the National Council's Hill Day 2009 web page for the latest Hill Day information - be on the lookout online Hill Day registration, including online appointment scheduling, in the coming months!
We look forward to seeing you in Washington for Hill Day 2009!
Recently Released Resources from the National Council
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.
The Council of State Governments Justice Center is pleased to announce its second webinar in the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) Webinar Series
Fiscal Year 2009 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Applicant Webinar
This webinar is being offered a second time to give those who missed it earlier this month an opportunity to participate. The webinar will provide an overview of the JMHCP and the current FY2009 solicitation for potential grant applicants. BJA staff will highlight program eligibility, the required application materials, and other important information and resources.
Ruby Qazilbash, Senior Policy Advisor Substance Abuse and Mental Health Bureau of Justice Assistance
Rebecca Rose, Policy Advisor Substance Abuse and Mental Health Bureau of Justice Assistance
Chris Casto, Program Specialist Bureau of Justice Assistance
___________
February 26th, 2009
2:00-3:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time
To register, please follow the link listed below:
https://csg.webex.com/csg/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=963882110
*The event will have a limited number of attendees, so if there are multiple participants in one location, we recommend registering as one attendee and participating in the webinar together in an office or conference room.
For inquiries about this webinar or the webinar series, please contact: Elizabeth Meyer, Research Associate Council of State Governments Justice Center emeyer@csg.org
Opportunities with the National Council: Transition Age Youth
The National Council invites member organizations to apply for its Transition Age Youth Initiative, a three year project to implement and evaluate a model of providing integrated clinical and person centered support services to Transition Age Youth. The initiative will support the selected organization and its local system of care partners in developing integrated mentoring/coaching staff roles and services to improve youth's access to supported employment, vocational training, tutoring services, and other educational support services as well as interpersonal relationship and social skills training and support.
Download the Participation Application and submit to Christina Hammond by 5 pm, eastern time on Monday, February 23, 2009.
Questions? Contact Christina Hammond at 202.684.7457, ext. 235, or by e-mail.
Save the Date for Hill Day 2009: June 9-10
Every day, the National Council places a high priority on helping you do your job as a leader in the field of community behavioral healthcare by supporting you with new communications tools, increased emphasis on involving you in ongoing liaison with national decision-makers, and policy and research support for your efforts.
The National Council's Fifth Annual Hill Day is scheduled for June 9-10, 2009 - please save the date and plan to join your fellow National Council members in Washington for two days of events, designed to provide Hill Day participants with in-depth information on key issues:
On Tuesday, June 9, all Hill Day participants are invited to attend the National Council's Public Policy Committee meeting for a detailed overview of the National Council's Hill Day policy priorities. One-on-one Hill visit coaching will also be available for interested participants.
On Wednesday, June 10, Hill Day kicks off with an issue briefing before participants head to Capitol Hill to advocate for behavioral healthcare. The day concludes with a Capitol Hill reception honoring champions of mental health and addiction treatment services.
Make your Hill Day 2009 hotel reservations today!
Most Hill Day 2009 events will take place at the Washington Court Hotel, located on Capitol Hill. There are two ways to make your reservations at the Washington Court Hotel:
1. By phone: 202-628-2100
2. Online: http://www.washingtoncourthotel.com/
Be sure to ask for the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare room block to get our special group rate of $269 per night.
Bookmark the National Council's Hill Day 2009 web page for the latest Hill Day information - be on the lookout online Hill Day registration, including online appointment scheduling, in the coming months!
We look forward to seeing you in Washington for Hill Day 2009!
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:
The National Counicl just released a summary of the SCHIP Bill.
The National Counicl just released a summary of the SCHIP Bill.
The National Council recently signed on to a letter supporting an increase in the Federal Alcohol Excise Tax.
The National Council recently released a summary on the HIT provisions included in the House and Senate versions of the Economic Stimulus package.
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 created a power point presentation on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. The presentation covers the 1996 Parity Law, the history of the 2008 Act and the main points of the Act.
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
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.
