Advocacy Alert: April 2023 Legislative News Round Up

May 4, 2023

For those of you who follow us on social media know, we post news stories on a daily basis that are connected to the behavioral health and addiction treatment industry.

Many of these are news stories regarding legislation, so once a month we send out a 'news roundup' of related news stories we've posted. Unless otherwise stated, BHAP has no official stance on any of these stories: the intention is to share so that we're all better informed as to what's happening in the legislative world.

A reminder that NBHAP members get access to a monthly update with our advocate in Washington, DC, to find out what is going on and ask any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us for more information on that.

WY | Wyoming legislative task force to focus on mental health for all ages
Shared 4/3/2023
Wyoming’s speaker of the House of Representatives hopes to shine a spotlight on mental health issues across the state, removing “agency silos” through collaboration and common goals.

IL | Senator Feigenholtz partners with new Behavioral Health Officer to remove barriers for children with behavioral and mental health challenges
Shared 4/3/2023
Working alongside Dr. Dana Weiner, the governor’s newly appointed Children's Behavioral Health Officer, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz championed Senate Bill 724, which defines the Interagency Children’s Behavioral Health Services Act and lays out a roadmap to finally get children the help they need.

NE | Nebraska lawmakers unanimously advance expanding behavioral health services
Shared 4/5/2023
A temporary break in a legislative logjam allowed a bill that would create a new payment framework for behavioral health and substance abuse service providers to win first-round approval Tuesday at the Legislature.

OH | Agencies champion mental health across Ohio
Shared 4/5/2023
Board members and directors of mental health and suicide prevention organizations advocated for Ohioans at the Statehouse and Rife Building in Columbus Wednesday afternoon.

GA | A Georgia bill to increase funding for mental health failed to pass in the Senate. What happened and what’s next?
Shared 4/10/2023
Wide bipartisan support was not enough to get a full mental health bill to the governor's desk this session.

PA | How some police, attorneys, and jails are trying to help Pennsylvania’s ailing system for mentally ill people
Shared 4/11/2023
A decades-old Pennsylvania law is supposed to protect people with mental health issues from prosecution if they cannot understand the legal system and cannot aid in their own defense, but a recent investigation found that instead, that very system often traps them in jail.

White House designates new drug threat that's worsening the opioid crisis
Shared 4/14/2023
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy designated a new emerging threat: the combination of the animal sedative xylazine and fentanyl.

CA | Reforming treatment: California’s plan to modernize behavioral health services
Shared 4/20/2023
In partnership with Sen. Susan Eggman, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a new ballot initiative on March 19 that would reshape how California services mental health and substance abuse.

Biden promised a watchdog for opioid settlement billions, but feds are quiet so far
Shared 4/21/2023
Early in President Joe Biden's tenure, his administration promised to play a key role in ensuring opioid settlement funds went toward tackling the nation's addiction crisis.

RI | Sen. DiMario sponsoring two bills to recruit more mental health professionals
Shared 4/21/2023
As a licensed mental health counselor, Sen. Alana DiMario has seen firsthand how a shortage of mental health providers is impacting patients.

MT | Montana lawmakers seek to fix damage to mental health care from 2017 budget cuts
Shared 4/24/2023
In 2017 the Montana legislature cut $200 million in state and matching federal dollars from the state public health budget.

The Biden administration vowed to be a leading voice on opioid settlements but has gone quiet
Shared 4/25/2023
Early in President Joe Biden’s tenure, his administration promised to play a key role in ensuring opioid settlement funds went toward tackling the nation’s addiction crisis.

Without Policy Action, Industry Likely to See Severe ‘Exodus of Behavioral Health Workers’
Shared 4/27/2023
Without major public policy changes to bolster the behavioral health workforce, providers will fail to meet the demand for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services moving forward – even more so than now.

Questions? Concerns?

As always, we want your input.

A reminder that BHAP members get regular access to our advocate in Washington, DC. If you have any questions about BHAP's advocacy efforts, please contact us.