Malka Berro
Policy Associate
In the week of April 26, the Census Bureau released the 2020 population counts for congressional apportionment over the next decade.
Read More on COVID-19 Telehealth Grants, Updated Buprenorphine Guidelines View Comments of COVID-19 Telehealth Grants, Updated Buprenorphine Guidelines
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
BREAKING NEWS This week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced a new Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) Grant Program to help providers bridge the service delivery gap. Read more and apply by May 21, 2021. CARA 3.0 Introduced Senators Portman (R-OH) Whitehouse (D-RI), Capito (R-WV), Klobuchar (D-MN), and Shaheen (D-NH) recently […]
Read More on Loan Repayment Applications Open, New CMHC Grant View Comments of Loan Repayment Applications Open, New CMHC Grant
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
BREAKING NEWS The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it is extending access to the Affordable Care Act Special Enrollment Period until August 15, 2021. PPP Extension Act Signed into Law Small businesses will have more time to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan thanks to swift action […]
Read More on PPP Extension Act, Take Action View Comments of PPP Extension Act, Take Action
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
QUOTABLE “The MATE Act boldly proclaims that all prescribers have a role to play in preventing, treating, and managing substance use disorders. For our nation to be truly healthy, we must understand substance use and treat it like every other medical condition. Our nation’s overdose crisis is having a devastating impact on communities. This legislation […]
Read More on PPP Deadline, New Emergency Broadband Program View Comments of PPP Deadline, New Emergency Broadband Program
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
BREAKING NEWS Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 on Wednesday. This $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill includes billions in support for life-saving mental health and substance use services. President Biden signed the package into law yesterday. For a comprehensive breakdown of the mental health and substance use disorder-related provisions, click here. For […]
Read More on COVID-19 Relief Signed Into Law View Comments of COVID-19 Relief Signed Into Law
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
BREAKING NEWS New “State of the Industry” data released by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing finds 40% of mental health and addiction treatment organizations surveyed will not be able to keep their doors open past the end of the year without additional federal relief. The data arrives amidst rising concerns about mental health, increases in overdoses, and a surge in overdose death rates in […]
Read More on Senate to Vote on COVID Relief View Comments of Senate to Vote on COVID Relief
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
IN THE NEWS A new report by the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health outlines the various ways states utilize Medicaid waivers to increase access to quality behavioral health services. Medicaid Financing for Behavioral Health Services: The Use of Flexibilities and Authorities seeks to determine the variation in behavioral health provider reimbursement rates under […]
Read More on House Votes on COVID Relief Today View Comments of House Votes on COVID Relief Today
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
BREAKING NEWS In accordance with a recent executive order on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid, the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the Health Insurance Marketplace reopened this week and will remain open through Saturday, May 15. House Wraps Up Reconciliation, Working on COVID Package Last week, House Committees finished work on budget […]
Read More on House Wraps Up Reconciliation, Working on COVID Package View Comments of House Wraps Up Reconciliation, Working on COVID Package
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
On Wednesday, February 3, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a list of 134 clinics that were awarded a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Expansion Grant, expanding the program to now include 340 CCBHCs across 40 states, Guam, and Washington, D.C. These new CCBHCs will join the hundreds that have increased access to critical integrated, evidence-based behavioral health services to those in need. The National Council applauds this effort and thanks SAMHSA and Congress for recognizing the program’s importance and the need to expand access to high-quality mental health and substance use care.
Read More on New CCBHCs Announced, Budget Resolution Passed View Comments of New CCBHCs Announced, Budget Resolution Passed
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
QUOTABLE “This hasty midnight regulation is a step against some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and the bipartisan lawmakers who have tirelessly defended the merits of Medicare’s protected classes policy. We look forward to working with the Biden administration and Congress to ensure we give people in our nation with the most […]
Read More on CMS Announces Medicare Part D Demonstration, Methamphetamine Use Disorder Breakthrough View Comments of CMS Announces Medicare Part D Demonstration, Methamphetamine Use Disorder Breakthrough
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
BREAKING NEWS Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz resigned yesterday as the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. The National Council sincerely thanks Dr. McCance-Katz for her service and contributions to the behavioral health community. Read her statement here. CMS Guidance on End-of-Pandemic Medicaid Changes On December 22, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services […]
Read More on CMS Guidance on End-of Pandemic Medicaid Changes, CCBHC Applications View Comments of CMS Guidance on End-of Pandemic Medicaid Changes, CCBHC Applications
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
QUOTABLE “Today, we move one step closer to improving how justice-involved people receive mental health and substance use disorder treatment… On behalf of the National Council, I thank Sens. Cornyn (R-TX) and Blumenthal (D-CT), as well as Reps. Trone (D-MD), Rutherford (R-FL), Dean (D-PA), Reschenthaler (R-PA), Scanlon (D-PA), and Armstrong (R-ND) for continuing to prioritize […]
Read More on Distribution of Provider Relief Funds, Crisis Stabilization Passes View Comments of Distribution of Provider Relief Funds, Crisis Stabilization Passes
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
QUOTABLE “COVID-19 has accelerated and expanded our country’s mental health and substance use disorder crisis. Access to treatment – when and where people need it – remains the biggest challenge we face. Unfortunately, insurers have consistently fought to illegally deny equitable coverage and states have lacked the tools to hold them accountable. No longer.” – […]
Read More on House Passes Short-Term Federal Funding, Physician Fee Schedule Summary View Comments of House Passes Short-Term Federal Funding, Physician Fee Schedule Summary
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted on their initial COVID-19 vaccine distribution recommendations. As written, it is unclear if behavioral health providers and organizations are included under the panel’s recommended Phase 1 vaccination distribution category. This also follows a new […]
Read More on FY2021 Appropriations, Finalized Physician Fee Schedule View Comments of FY2021 Appropriations, Finalized Physician Fee Schedule
Malka Berro
Policy Associate
QUOTABLE “I want to thank Senator Cornyn (R-TX) and Senator Blumenthal (D-CT) for their leadership in introducing the bill, as well as Senators from both sides of the aisle for prioritizing increased access to mental health treatment for incarcerated individuals. This is especially important during a time when our nation’s most vulnerable people are at […]
Read More on Senate Passes Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act, Funding Deadline Looms View Comments of Senate Passes Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act, Funding Deadline Looms
Shelley Starkey
Policy Associate
QUOTABLE “The addition of Kentucky and Michigan to the CCBHC Medicaid demonstration will lower barriers to access and allow more people in more communities to receive the treatment and services they need, like medication-assisted treatment, as they cope with the disruption caused by the pandemic. By extending the demonstration to Kentucky and Michigan, Congress has […]
Read More on HHS Opens Phase 2 Portal View Comments of HHS Opens Phase 2 Portal
Michael Petruzzelli
Director, Federal Policy & Advocacy
On Monday, Senate Republicans introduced a series of bills in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The series of proposals – collectively named the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act – were drafted by the chairs of various committees of jurisdiction including Senate HELP, Finance, Small Business and Entrepreneurship and Appropriations. The HEALS Act totals nearly $1 trillion in relief aid and is the starting point for bipartisan negotiations between the House and Senate as they look to finalize a deal as quickly as possible.
Read More on Senate Releases COVID-19 Relief Package View Comments of Senate Releases COVID-19 Relief Package
Shelley Starkey
The House Appropriations Committee approved its Labor-HHS spending levels for Fiscal Year 2021 on Monday, funding key federal health, education and labor programs for the year ahead.
Read More on House Appropriations Committee Approves FY21 Health Spending View Comments of House Appropriations Committee Approves FY21 Health Spending
Shelley Starkey
This week, the National Council partnered with 29 national advocacy organizations to host our first ever Hill Day at Home. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hill Day 2020 was hosted virtually, making advocating for individuals living with mental illness and addiction more accessible than ever. A record-breaking 2,000 advocates from across the nation joined Hill Day at Home, reaching 511 Members of Congress with our policy asks. If you weren’t able to join live, you can access presentations and exhibitors’ information until July 23, and there is still time to reach out to your legislators – encouraging their support for a number of legislative priorities that are important to the behavioral health community.
Read More on 2,000 Advocates Join National Council’s First Ever Virtual Hill Day at Home View Comments of 2,000 Advocates Join National Council’s First Ever Virtual Hill Day at Home
Shelley Starkey
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is pleased to announce this year’s legislative honorees for Hill Day at Home 2020. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Representative David Trone (D-MD) are each receiving the National Council’s Legislator of the Year Award in recognition of their hard work and dedicated commitment to the mental health and addiction community. The National Council and its partners will honor both legislators at our Virtual Policy Institute on Tuesday June 23rd. Register today to join us in honoring these two Congressional leaders and thank them for their continued support.
Read More on National Council Announces 2020 Legislators of the Year View Comments of National Council Announces 2020 Legislators of the Year
