Advocacy Alert: July 2023 Legislative News Round Up

August 3, 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.

GA | 1 year later, Georgia's Mental Health Parity Act is providing a framework for change
Shared 7/18/2023
One year later, the Mental Health Parity Act in 2022 is providing a framework for change, even if some say real progress is still coming.

PA | Pennsylvania budget switches $100M in mental health funding from adults to schools
Shared 7/20/2023
House Bill 611 redirects the $100 million of federal American Rescue Plan funds from mental health services to school mental health grants, according to a bill analysis by the House Democratic Appropriations Committee.

Key lawmaker blasts Congress’ efforts on addiction: ‘Shame on us’
Shared 7/21/2023
A Democratic congressman on Wednesday blasted a bipartisan set of proposals focused on addiction, arguing that current congressional efforts will barely scratch the surface of the U.S. drug crisis.

OR | What Happened When Oregon Decriminalized Hard Drugs
Shared 7/21/2023
Three years ago, while the nation’s attention was on the 2020 presidential election, voters in Oregon took a dramatic step back from America’s long-running War on Drugs.

LA | LDH celebrates 1st anniversary of 988 Lifeline with growth, expanded capacity
Shared 7/24/2023
The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health is celebrating the anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline this week with a focus on growth, increased capacity and the lives that are being changed with increased access to mental health resources.

FL | Florida’s decriminalization of fentanyl test strips will give community-based organizations more ability to help reduce opioid overdoses
Shared 7/24/2023
Florida lawmakers decriminalized fentanyl test strips during this year’s legislative session, which should help the state reduce opioid overdoses.

States stiffen penalties for fentanyl, despite public health concerns
Shared 7/25/2023
As they struggle to reduce drug overdose deaths, policymakers across the United States are embroiled in a heated debate over creating and increasing criminal penalties related to fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that’s up to 100 times more potent than morphine.

VA | Gov. Youngkin pledges to transform behavioral health system during Northern Virginia interfaith forum
Shared 7/25/2023
Between 2018 and 2022, 12.4 per 100,000 Virginia teenagers died by suicide, above the national average of 10.9.

Counties Demand Help Addressing Mental Health and Addiction
Shared 7/26/2023
Everything from fatal overdoses to the number of people suffering from severe depression has been growing at alarming rates. Counties have been providing services but insist that Washington must do more.

Biden administration moves to reinforce mental health parity
Shared 7/26/2023
The Biden administration today proposed strengthening requirements so that health insurers cover behavioral health at the same level as physical health.

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.