Advocacy Alert: October 2022 Legislative News Round Up

November 3, 2022

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 BHAP members get access to a monthly call 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.

SAMHSA Awards $45.1 Million to Help Meet Behavioral Health Needs of People Who Are at Risk for or Are Living with HIV/AIDS
Shared 10/1/2022
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is awarding $45.1 million in grants to address the behavioral health needs of people at risk of contracting HIV or living with HIV. / Lozenges.

DE | DHSS to Expand Community Well-Being Initiative to Kent County
Shared 10/1/2022
In the pilot, 24 Community Well-being Ambassadors, who were hired by the nonprofit Network Connect and embedded in the neighborhoods, worked to identify and engage with individuals and families who typically do not seek formal treatment and recovery services for opioid and other substance use disorders.

The Biden Administration’s $1.5 Billion in Opioid Grants
Shared 10/5/2022
While not a perfect remedy, the funding is a step in the right direction.

NV | Nevada Violating Law by Not Providing Services to Children with Behavioral Health Issues
Shared 10/5/2022
Such services include crisis response, care coordination, behavioral health care, respite care, peer support and therapeutic foster care.

CO | Federal Funding Coming to Colorado to Support Student Mental Health
Shared 10/8/2022
Colorado will see more than $9 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education to help create safer and healthier learning environments for school students.

PA | Public Hearing on Youth Mental Health, Pennsylvania Rural Schools
Shared 10/8/2022
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors has planned to host a public hearing on youth mental health and Pennsylvania rural schools, in order to highlight some of the challenges Pennsylvania rural school leaders face in addressing the growing mental health crisis among youth.

CMS Floats Plans for National Provider Directory to Unify Fragmented Parts of Health Care – Including Behavioral Health
Shared 10/10/2022
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is considering creating the first national directory of health care providers and services.

4 Behavioral Health Legislation Trends to Watch
Shared 10/12/2022
This session of Congress is heading toward its close -- and several points of behavioral health legislation are still not resolved.

Muratore Appointed To Behavioral Health Commission
Shared 10/13/2022
State Rep. Mathew Muratore speaks with WATD’s Dan McCready about his recent appointment to the Behavioral Health Commission.

NJ | Addiction Recovery Industry Rife with Abuse, State Investigators Say
Shared 10/14/2022
Agents detailed illegal business practices such as double-billing, billing for services not provided, and falsifying urine tests to indicate a relapse, thereby extending patients’ stays.

HHS Secretary and Others on Behavioral Health Investments
Shared 10/19/2022
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra announced nearly $300 million in investments to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) around the country.

FL | What They’re Watching: Melanie Brown-Woofter, Florida Behavioral Health Association
Shared 10/19/2022
Melanie Brown-Woofter, CEO of the Florida Behavioral Health Association, is focusing on the expansion of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model in the state.

AK | Alaska Mental Health Professionals Discuss State’s New Crisis Response Services
Shared 10/20/2022
Mental health professionals are working to implement a plethora of new crisis response services in Alaska, and a few experts discussed current initiatives at the 2022 Alaska State of Reform Health Policy Conference.

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.