BREAKING NEWS
This week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) announced a new grant program to provide first responders and other key community sectors with approved drugs and devices for emergency reversal of known or suspected opioid overdose. The program is targeted to communities disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic and underserved populations with little to no access to treatment providers, emergency services, and recovery support services. Eligible grantees are state, tribal, and local government entities.
Main Stories:
- Senate Finance Hearing Highlights CCBHCs as Model for Increased Access
- Letter to Congressional Leaders Regarding MOE/FMAP
- CDC Releases Draft Opioid Prescribing Guidelines
- Senate HELP Subcommittee Hearing on the Health Care Workforce Shortage
- Webinar on Integrated Care
Senate Finance Hearing Highlights CCBHCs as Model for Increased Access
This week, the Senate Finance Committee held its second hearing on Youth Mental Health. Jodie Lubarsky, Vice President of Clinical Operations, Youth and Family Services, represented Seacoast Mental Health Center of New Hampshire, a CCBHC and National Council member, in this hearing. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) were highlighted throughout the hearing as a model that could help youth and adolescents get access to critically needed mental health and substance use services, as well as being a particularly helpful model in rural areas.
Letter to Congressional Leaders Regarding MOE/FMAP
The National Council, along with other key industry stakeholders, wrote to Congress requesting at least 120 days of advance notice prior to any unwinding of the current Medicaid Maintenance of Effort/Federal Medical Assistance Percentage provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Doing so would work to prevent unnecessary lapses in coverage for millions of Americans.
CDC Releases Draft Opioid Prescribing Guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the long-anticipated notice of its draft 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids. The draft guidance updates the CDC’s 2016 guidance and is intended for clinicians providing outpatient pain care for patients 18 years or older with acute pain, subacute pain, or chronic pain. The 2022 draft guidance includes a detailed summary of findings that informed the CDC’s recommendations. To read a summary of the guidance, click here.
Senate HELP Subcommittee Hearing on the Health Care Workforce Shortage
Last week, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety held a hearing on the health care workforce shortage. Senators and witnesses discussed ways to bolster recruitment, retention, and diversification within the health care workforce. Senators raised ideas such as increasing services in rural and underserved communities, providing proper funding for universities to boost enrollment in health care related studies, and promoting workforce retention. For a summary of the hearing, click here.
Webinar on Integrated Care
Join the Center of Excellence in a webinar on charting a path forward on integrated care, Thursday February 24, 2022 at 1pm EST. Adopting a new model of coordinated and integrated care can help reduce burdens on providers, patients, and cost of care. Integrated care emphasizes a team-based approach to address the needs of the whole person. Without integration, mental illness and substance use disorders will continue to go undetected and untreated. Experts will discuss the current state of integration and the comprehensive health integration framework. Register here.
ADVOCACY CORNER
Tips for Congressional Advocacy. When emailing your legislator, customization is key! Legislators get a lot of emails, and you can cut through the noise by adding your personal story or data relevant to the district/state. Keeping emails brief and customized is the best way for your message to stand out. To keep up-to-date on National Council’s policy efforts, subscribe to action alerts and apply to become ambassador!
HAPPENING ON THE HILL
FDA Commissioner Confirmed. On Tuesday, the Senate voted to confirm Robert Califf as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Acting commissioner Janet Woodcock will remain at the FDA as Principal Deputy Commissioner.
Guest Author
Associate, Federal Policy