Mental Health America's 2010 Annual Conference: Hill Day Visits
Parity regulations are out and health insurance reform has passed, but our job as mental health advocates is far from over! While you are in town for MHA’s Annual Conference, plan to spend Thursday visiting your Senators and Representatives and asking them for their support on important mental health initiatives. We have provided you with a schedule for hill day activities, an overview of MHA’s legislative priorities, and information on scheduling your appointments.
Hill Day Schedule
ADVOCACY TRAINING (Wednesday, June 9th, 4:45-6:45)
Great for veteran and rookie advocates, this session will give you all the preparation you’ll need for Hill visits on Thursday. We’ll give you background, insight and fact sheets on Mental Health America’s legislative priorities and first-time advocates will learn tips and tricks for making a lasting impression on members of Congress.BREAKFAST & HILL DAY KICK OFF (Thursday, June 10th, 8:00-9:00)
Get inspired and educated for a day of advocacy activities on Capitol Hill. Our special guest speaker will share stories from the Hill that show the true value of face-to-face grassroots advocacy.VISITS WITH LEGISLATORS (Thursday, June 10th, 9:00-4:00)
Attendees will head to Capitol Hill for pre-scheduled appointments with their Senators and Representatives to educate them about key issues and urge them to make mental health a legislative priority in the year ahead.HILL VISIT DEBRIEF (Thursday, June 10th, 4:00-5:00)
Please join us following your day on the Hill to discuss issues raised during your visits with your legislators and their staff. MHA Public Policy and Advocacy staff will be on hand to discuss any needed follow-up or answer any of your questions. There will also be plenty of time to update your state delegation and your regional colleagues during a discussion led by MHA’s Regional Policy Council Representatives.
MHA Legislative Priorities for 2010 Hill Day
MHA currently has four legislative priorities we will be urging you to discuss with your legislators on Hill Day. For more information on each of these priorities, view its fact sheet by clicking on the title of the priority.
1. FMAP Extension PDF (S. 3000) – support legislation to extend an enhanced rate of federal funding for Medicaid for six months, from January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011.
2. Appropriations PDF (No bill #'s as of yet) – support increases in funding levels for mental health services, supports and research.
3. Health Information Technology Extension for Behavioral Health Services Act of 2010 PDF (HR 5040/Soon to be introduced in Sen.) – support legislation to extend health information technology assistance eligibility to behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse professionals and facilities.
4. Keeping All Students Safe Act(PDF) (HR 4247/S. 2860) – support legislation to prevent and reduce the use of physical restraint and seclusion in schools.
MHA’s Legislative Priorities Webinar
Kirsten Beronio, MHA’s VP of Public Policy and Julio Abreu, MHA’s Senior Director of Government Affairs provided a detailed overview of MHA’s legislative priorities for Hill Day and answered any questions from participants. If you were unable to participate in the webinar or would like a refresher, you can listen to the recorded webinar below. You can also download the presentation from the webinar PDF.
Schedule Your Hill Visits Today!
As you can imagine, calendars fill up fast on Capitol Hill, that’s why it's never too early to start planning by scheduling your legislative visits for Thursday, June 10th. Please call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your two Senators and your Representative. Ask to speak to the staffer who handles mental health issues and schedule a visit. If you are feeling extra feisty or ambitious, try to set the visit with the Member of Congress. You may want to coordinate your visits with others from your state and region to ensure a smooth day for everyone. For more information and to let us know when you’ve made your appointments, please contact Fabian Austin, MHA Policy Fellow at faustin@mentalhealthamerica.net.
Congressional Visit Tips
For more information on effective advocacy, please view 8 Tips for a Successful Lobby Visit(PDF).
