Advocacy Alert: January 2025 Legislative News Round Up

February 6, 2025

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. (We have joined BlueSky!)

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.

NM | State Health Care Authority will open 7 behavioral health clinics throughout New Mexico in January
Shared 1/9/2025
The spending is an attempt to turn around trends that show New Mexico ranking near the bottom in behavioral health outcomes, despite millions in funding New Mexico.

OR | Oregon lawmaker wants to expand emergency housing program for people navigating drug addiction
Shared 1/17/2025
If waitlist emergency housing is replicated throughout Oregon, it would potentially fill a gap in the system of care for unsheltered Oregonians in drug addiction.

CO | Rural Colorado communities still lack adequate behavioral health services. A new state-sponsored group will help
Shared 1/21/2025
Legislators approved Senate Bill 55 to bridge state services and agriculture communities struggling with "a cluster of different potential roadblocks" to mental health care.

WA | Budget deficit may mean protecting, not expanding, substance abuse treatment programs
Shared 1/23/2025
Washington state is facing a projected operating budget deficit of between $10 billion and $16 billion over the next four years.

GA | Council wants better definitions, resources and support for peer-led recovery programs in Georgia
Shared 1/24/2025
Mental health advocates are gathering this week to tell lawmakers that Georgians want access to addiction recovery and health care parity.

Broadcaster Scott Oake hopes his advocacy can spare other families the pain of drug addiction
Shared 1/29/2025
Oake's efforts have led to the opening of a recovery centre for men, named after his son.

MI | Centra Wellness expands addiction support services
Shared 1/29/2025
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has broadened eligibility for its health home services, expanding beyond opioid addiction to include alcohol use disorder and stimulant use disorder.

AR | Arkansas lawmakers seek to ban prescription drug middlemen from owning pharmacies in the state
Shared 1/29/2025
House Bill 1150 would also apply to mail-order pharmacy operations.

The highly political French fight against drug trafficking
Shared 1/30/2025
France is facing unprecedented levels of drug-related violence and trafficking, and it seems that those who now claim to be fighting this scourge are scoring political points in a rapidly changing landscape.

IN | Indiana Online Casino Bill Takes Step Forward
Shared 1/30/2025
The House Public Policy Committee advanced House Bill 1432 Tuesday by a 9-2 vote. Legislators discussed the online casino legalization bill for more than three hours. It now moves to the Ways and Means Committee.

VT | Vermont governor proposes new recovery campus
Shared 1/31/2025
Governor Phil Scott pushes a new initiative to tackle substance misuse, a condition often overlooked as a mental health disorder.

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.