Entries Tagged as 'Legislative'

MHA's Blog: Chiming In

Feb 14

Mental Health Agencies, Law Enforcement and Advocates Address Impact of Budget Cuts on Mental Health Care in America

News , Legislative , Advocacy 2 Comments »

At a Capitol Hill briefing on Wednesday, February 16, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) will release the results of a nationwide survey showing that states have been forced to cut nearly $2.2 billion from public mental health services — the largest single combined funding reduction in generations. The tragic events in Tucson, Arizona have sparked a “national conversation” about the “adequacy of our mental health system” as President Obama said in his memorial speech.

The NASMHPD briefing is supported by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council), Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Mental Health America, the National Alliance on Mental Health Illness, the National Disability Rights Network and the Mental Health Liaison Group.

WHAT: Briefing on State & Federal Mental Health Spending Cuts
WHEN: Wednesday, February 16, 2011; 8:30 am – 10:30 am (breakfast provided)
WHERE: 485 Russell Senate Office Building

Panelists at the briefing include:

  • Kevin Martone, Deputy Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and President of NASMHPD
  • Craig Knoll, Executive Director, Threshold Services, Silver Spring, Maryland, and National Council member
  • Commander Shereece Fleming-Freeman, Central District, City of Detroit Police Department
  • U.S. Army Retired Lt. Col. James Walsh, President, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Alabama
  • Sheilah Clay, CEO, Neighborhood Service Organization, Detroit, Michigan

Vital services as such as crisis mobile teams for homeless persons, supported employment and public safety programs are all jeopardized by additional budget cuts. As the House Appropriations Committee announced cuts totaling nearly $100 million for mental health and addiction programs just last week, this panel will address the consequences of continuing budget reductions.

Jan 10

Join Us This Month for Webinars on Five Key Issues for Advocates

General , News , Legislative , Advocacy , Parity No Comments »

Join Us this Month for Webinars on Five Key Issues for Advocates

Mental Health America will hold a series of webinars this month on these five key advocacy issues and toolkits we have produced, which are linked above.

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Sep 14

Advocates Win Big Victory as Senate Defeats Attempt to Gut Prevention and Public Health Fund

General , News , Legislative , Advocacy , Prevention No Comments »

Advocates won a big victory this week as the Senate defeated by a vote of 46-52 an amendment offered by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) to a small business bill that would have gutted the new Prevention and Public Health Fund. With this defeat, Mental Health America hopes the Fund now has a chance to reach its goal of expanding and sustaining investment in prevention and public health programs. 

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Aug 24

Mental Health America Joins In Opposing Use of Prevention and Public Health Fund as Offset

News , Legislative , Advocacy No Comments »

Mental Health America has joined with more than 140 organizations in opposing the use of prevention and public health funding included in the health reform law as an offset for a proposed Senate amendment to a jobs bill.

The amendment, which will be offered by U.S. Senator Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) when the Senate considers the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act (H.R. 5297) on September 14, would virtually gut the new $15 billion Prevention and Public Health Fund (Fund) to pay for a change in business tax-reporting rules.

The Fund was established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to support national, state and local programs to make Americans healthier and reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. President Obama has already allocated $500 million from the fund.

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Jul 30

Status of Appropriations Bills Affecting Mental Health Services and Supports

Legislative , Advocacy 1 Comment »

Julio Abreu of our Public Policy and Advocacy Department reports on action taken on appropriations bills that affect funding for mental health services and supports.

On July 29th, the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up the FY2011 Labor, Health and Human Services & Education appropriations bill, as yet un-numbered.  The Senate funding panel would provide a nearly $40 million increase for the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) and a $106 million increase for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  The Senate funding panel would provide the Administration’s request of a $1 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health.  The Senate panel did not cut funding for any consumer programs at CMHS.

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