Advocacy Alert: September 2020 Legislative News Round Up

October 2, 2020

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.

ME | Roughly $7.5M Coming to Maine to Combat Opioid Crisis
Shared 9/3/2020
Senators Susan Colling and Angus King have announced $7.5M will be coming into the state to combat the opioid crisis. (VIDEO)

UT | Utah Rep. Ben McAdams Signs on to Bill to Improve Mental Health Services in Rural Communities
Shared 9/3/2020
The Mental Health Professional Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., and cosponsored by 34 federal lawmakers, including McAdams, would "amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a loan repayment program for mental health professionals to relieve workforce shortages," according to the text of the bill.

DE | Newly Introduced Bill Could Help Improve Mental and Behavioral Health Care in Communities of Color
Shared 9/6/2020
Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester introduced a bill that would help connect communities of color with better access to mental and behavioral health services.

LA | $17 Million Going to HHS to Fight Opioid Epidemic in Louisiana
Shared 9/6/2020
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $17,637,461 in grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support health projects around Louisiana, particularly to combat the opioid epidemic.

NE | Planners Revise Proposed Rules for Halfway Houses in Lincoln
Shared 9/14/2020
Local planning officials have tweaked proposed rules for halfway houses in the city, removing a maximum cap on residents in commercial areas and adding more notification requirements among other changes.

VT | Burlington City Council to Vote on Overdose Prevention Site
Shared 9/15/2020
As the opioid crisis continues to plague Vermont, the Burlington City Council is trying to decrease the deadly overdose rate in Chittenden County.

VA | Rep. Riggleman Helps Move Opioid, Child Health Bills through Congress
Shared 9/16/2020
Money from the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization would expand treatment options and provide resources for those with addiction.

CA | California Legislature Expands Behavioral, Mental Healthcare Parity Law
Shared 9/24/2020
The bill aims to fill gaps left by the Affordable Care Act and promote patient-centered mental and behavioral healthcare.

Exercising Rights to Vote Linked to Positive Mental Health
Shared 9/30/2020
Aside from the human rights and civic duty involved, the very act of casting votes can also offer benefits to one's mental 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.