Advocacy Alert: November 2020 Advocacy Update for BHAP Members

November 15, 2020

Greetings, BHAP!

On behalf of Slingshot Solutions, thank you for your membership in BHAP and your commitment to advocacy that will shape the future of behavioral health. As your advocate in Washington, D.C., it is my responsibility to keep you informed when it comes to policy developments, and to represent your interests before the federal government. We do this by working with Congress, the White House and executive agencies, and other interest groups and coalitions.

Andrew Kessler
Principal
Slingshot Solutions LLC

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While the last month has seen very little legislative progress, there is still much to report. The outcome of the elections — still undecided in some regards — will shape our agenda for the next year, if not more.

We will be keeping careful track of the transition team and their priorities. New leadership will be coming to several federal agencies, including SAMHSA, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services. These agencies are the backbone of the federal funding and regulatory system for SUD treatment, so close attention will be paid to their new leadership and new directions.

On the legislative front, our work turns back to the federal budget and appropriations process. With the current continuing resolution set to expire December 11, we await the end of the process that will establish the budget for FY 2021. While the House of Representatives finished their work on appropriations in the spring, the Senate only recently concluded their work this month. Our advocacy efforts were for the most part successful, as the Senate recommended increases for several programs that will bolster the SUD workforce, as well as treatment and recovery in general

The bill provided $138,916,000 to support and expand the behavioral and mental health workforce. Within this total, the Committee provides up to $29,500,000 for the Mental Health and SUD Workforce Training Demonstration, which includes funding for the Ad- diction Medicine Fellowship program, and $12,000,000 for the Loan Repayment Program for SUD Treatment Workforce. The Committee encourages HRSA to ensure new funding obligations do not detract from the core mission of establishing and expanding internships or field placement programs in behavioral health serving populations in rural and medically underserved areas.

The Committee provided $120,000,000 for the National Health Service Corps to continue improving access to quality opioid and substance use disorder treatment in rural and underserved areas nationwide. The Committee continued language that expands eligibility for loan repayment awards through the Corps to include SUD counselors, a program now in its fourth year.

The Senate also cited growing evidence that suggests a strong correlation between successful substance abuse treatment outcomes and stable housing arrangements, especially for those facing mental health challenges or those of limited economic means. The Committee encouraged the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to support research to assess how housing impacts substance abuse treatment outcomes and costs in acutely affected regions.

Finally, the committee agreed to fund the State Opioid Response Grant at the same level recommended by the House, $1.5 billion. However, FY 2021 is the second year of a two-year authorization, so for the program to continue beyond next year, the program must be re-authorized by Congress. BHAP will advocate for its passage, along with increased funding for the program as well.

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Questions? Concerns?

As always, we want your input. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you have about our advocacy efforts.