Advocacy Alert: March 2024 Legislative News Round Up

April 4, 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.

IL | State lawmakers hold hearing on behavioral health care shortage in Illinois
Shared 3/6/2024
There are 13.8 behavioral health care professionals for every 10,000 residents in the state, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services.

CA | What to Know About California’s Proposition 1 for Mental Health Care
Shared 3/13/2024
Proposition 1 was expected to be widely approved, but the vote is close. Here’s what the measure is and what’s at stake.

NJ | New Jersey's mental service gaps for people who are deaf, hard of hearing
Shared 3/13/2024
A Senate committee is set to discuss legislation that would require better services.

GA | All 159 Georgia counties sign resolutions urging mental health reform
Shared 3/13/2024
The Early County Board of Commissioners recently adopted a resolution urging Governor Brian Kemp and the General Assembly to continue to push for mental health reform this legislative session. Now, all 159 counties have adopted some form of resolution regarding the matter.

VA | Virginia lawmakers find common ground on mental health reforms
Shared 3/18/2024
The struggles of Virginians with mental health challenges are uniting Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly and Gov. Glenn Youngkin in a commitment to fix the state’s overwhelmed behavioral health system.

FL | Florida Senate backs a bill on behavioral health teaching hospitals
Shared 3/21/2024
The Senate on Wednesday passed a plan that would designate at least four behavioral health teaching hospitals. Tampa General Hospital and the University of South Florida are included.

MD | Maryland Gov. Wes Moore puts $13.5 million toward mental health crisis services
Shared 3/22/2024
The Maryland Department of Health announced $13.5 million towards the creation of pilot programs aimed at improving access to behavioral health services.

Addiction recovery advocates seek changes to ‘get tough' bills on fentanyl
Shared 3/26/2024
On Closeup, addiction recovery advocates are showing their support for one bill that would establish a mandatory 10 years to life in prison sentence for a dealer that provided drugs that resulted in an overdose death.

AZ | Lawmakers shoot down plan to crack down on behavioral health facilities, advance alternative
Shared 3/27/2024
Lawmakers are working to tighten the reins on fraudulent sober living homes after bad actors defrauded Arizona’s Medicaid agency out of billions of dollars. But one such bill was voted down Thursday evening in the House, while a less expansive version advanced.

IA | Gov. Reynolds proposes fix to Iowa’s splintered mental health system. Will it help?
Shared 3/28/2024
Advocates are hopeful that combining mental health, substance use treatment networks will improve access.

NM | Governor signs bills aimed to improve healthcare
Shared 3/28/2024
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed several healthcare bills which officials said would help insulate rural hospitals from financial vulnerability during a press conference at Sierra Vista Hospital in Truth or Consequences on Friday.

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.