Advocacy Alert: February 2024 Legislative News Round Up

March 7, 2024

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, NBHAP 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.

NY | CMS Approves 'Groundbreaking' Behavioral Health Integration Waiver for New York
Shared 2/2/2024
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved a $7.5 billion waiver for New York, allowing the state to integrate primary, behavioral health, and health-related social services over the next three years.

SAMHSA's final rule makes COVID-era flexibilities permanent for opioid treatment programs
Shared 2/7/2024
Several COVID-era flexibilities relied upon by opioid treatment programs and their hundreds of thousands of patients will become permanent later this year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said.

MN | Randy Stillday reappointed to Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Shared 2/7/2024
Randy Stillday, of Red Lake, has been reappointed to the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy by Gov. Tim Walz.

WA | Zahilay Looks To Implement Voter Approved Funding To Addresses The Mental Health Crisis That is Ravaging King County
Shared 2/8/2024
King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay is on a mission to address the need for more mental health and addiction recovery resources in the area.

CA | Transcript: Proposition 1 - Behavioral Health Funding
Shared 2/8/2024
Prop 1 asks voters two big questions: Should mental health funding be used for housing? And should the state borrow money to build more housing and treatment facilities?

GA | Overview: 2025 Fiscal Year Budget for Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Shared 2/9/2024
Governor Kemp's Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget proposal provides the Department with $1.6 billion in state funds.

VA | Virginia’s Youngkin aims to bolster mental health care, part of national focus after the pandemic
Shared 2/12/2024
The problem underscores a widely held consensus that Virginia’s mental health care system is in urgent need of reform, due to what Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration says is an overreliance on hospitalization at a time of growing need.

HI | Joint hearing charts course for advancing Hawaii's behavioral health centers and hospitals
Shared 2/14/2024
The State Capitol hosted a joint information hearing focused on advancing Hawaii's behavioral health centers and hospitals.

WV | DoHS addresses success of substance treatment programs
Shared 2/14/2024
The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH) and Bureau for Medical Services (BMS) has announced and addressed the successful results of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs.

FL | UF Health included in plan to boost behavioral health care
Shared 2/15/2024
With the bill citing an "urgent need" to increase the number of doctors and other workers to care for people with mental-health and substance-abuse issues, the Florida Senate on Tuesday began moving forward with a $114 million plan that includes designating behavioral-health teaching hospitals.

ME | 'Children can't afford to wait,' new director of Maine child welfare says amid reorganization plans
Shared 2/15/2024
The external review is designed to identify opportunities for change and improvements within the agency.

MD | State to hand out $111M in behavioral health care grants
Shared 2/20/2024
Approximately $111 million will start to be disbursed this year to provide a variety of health care services for families and their children as part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan.

MO | Missouri chief justice calls for action as hundreds wait in jails for mental health services
Shared 2/20/2024
The number of people waiting for treatment has grown to nearly 300, and the Department of Mental Health predicts it will reach 500 by the end of the year.

ID | Idaho would have holds process for neurological patients under a new bill
Shared 2/21/2024
New bill would address gap in Idaho law, supporters say, but some law enforcement representatives worried about how police would be liable.

Supreme Court Rejects UnitedHealth Appeal, Boosting Behavioral Health Providers’ Standing with Insurers
Shared 2/22/2024
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request by United Behavioral Health to hear a behavioral health claim denial case.

AL | Alabama voters say mental health a top concern, support funding
Shared 2/22/2024
More than 90 percent of Alabamians identify mental health as a key priority for the state.

NH | Bill aims to free up mental health beds, end ER waits by increasing housing
Shared 2/24/2024
Senate Bill 410 would allot $3 million to transitional, supportive housing for people who no longer need in-patient behavioral health treatment but are not ready to live independently.

WY | Gov. Gordon unveils plan for reforming Wyoming’s mental health system
Shared 2/25/2024
A report and a roadmap released Monday showcase much of what the state is doing and how the governor’s office plans to help increase access to care.

WA | Kuderer NARCAN bill unanimously passes House and Senate
Shared 2/29/2024
The House voted unanimously (96-0) to push forward SB 5804, which increases NARCAN availability in all school districts in the state, regardless of size, including charter schools, state tribal compact schools, elementary, middle and high schools.

NE | Providers react to $15 million in proposed behavioral health cuts
Shared 2/29/2024
Providers say if it goes through, that'd total $33 million in cuts in recent years.

Questions? Concerns?

As always, we want your input.

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