Advocacy Alert: September 2022 Legislative News Round Up

October 6, 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.

SC | Behavioral Health Services Association of South Carolina honors Sen. Tom Young
Shared 9/6/2022
S.C. Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken, received a special award Monday during the Rotary Club of Aiken's meeting at Newberry Hall.

American Academy of Pediatrics Receives $2M Grant From HHS for New Mental Health Center
Shared 9/8/2022
The goal is to develop and disseminate information, guidance and training on the impact that social media use has on children and young people.

HHS Announces New Grant Funding Opportunities for School-Based Mental Health Programs
Shared 9/11/2022
On September 1, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $47.6 million in new grant funding opportunities stemming from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S.2938), which was enacted in June 2022 and implements changes to the mental health care system, school safety programs and gun safety laws.

Impact of Laws on Pediatric Opioid Prescriptions
Shared 9/12/2022
In a push to fight the opioid epidemic, many states have passed opioid prescribing cap laws which limit the dose or duration of an opioid prescription.

HHS OIG Report Puts Telehealth Expansion Under Microscope
Shared 9/12/2022
Office of Inspector General stresses that changes to telehealth policy need to balance concerns about access, quality of care, equity, and program integrity.

HHS Releases Data on Transition to 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Shared 9/14/2022
According to new data released from HHS, after transitioning the National Suicide Prevention line to a three-digit dialing code, there has been a 45 percent increase in overall volume and answer speeds.

AK | The Alaska Primary Care Association Hopes to Boost Homegrown Health Care Workforce with New Grant
Shared 9/16/2022
The Alaska Primary Care Association was recently awarded $9.7 million as part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs challenge grant.

ME | Governor Mills Announces Nearly $2 Million to Expand Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Rural Maine
Shared 9/18/2022
Federal funding is part of a slate of actions from the Mills Administration this summer and fall to support Maine people with SUD through strengthened Opioid Health Homes, support for parents, and naloxone distribution.

HHS Releases Road Map to Address Mental Health Pay Parity, Workforce Shortage Issues
Shared 9/20/2022
The Biden administration laid out a road map (PDF) for increasing pay parity and access to mental health care as efforts in Congress stall out.

Federal Action Sought for Opioid Crisis
Shared 9/23/2022
Providers and patients would have more information on opioid use disorder and addiction programs under a measure backed by Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins.

WA | Experts Discuss Initiatives to Expand Behavioral Health Care in Washington
Shared 9/24/2022
Prominent public officials, including President Joe Biden and Gov. Jay Inslee, have identified behavioral health care as a priority service, and some experts discussed how they’re making progress on it in Washington at the 2022 Inland Northwest State of Reform Health Policy Conference.

Senate Bill Aims to Narrow Mental Health Workforce Shortage by Expanding GME Slots
Shared 9/26/2022
New Senate legislation seeks to add 400 new psychiatrists a year in a bid to address a crippling shortage of mental health workers.

AZ | Law Improved Youth Access to Mental Health Care in Arizon
Shared 9/26/2022
The law marked a major stride toward achieving mental health parity in Arizona, which is when insurers provide the same level of service for behavioral health and substance abuse treatment as they do for other physical ailments.

KS | University of Kansas Medical Center Announces $9 Million Grant to Improve Children's Behavioral Health
Shared 9/27/2022
The grant administered through the Department of Pediatrics at KU School of Medicine will fund KanAWARE, a multi-agency project formed to address escalating student behavioral health needs in the Southeast Kansas corridor.

Biden Announces $1.5B in Funding to Battle Opioid Overdoses, Support Recovery
Shared 9/28/2022
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will disseminate the funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response and Tribal Opioid Response grant programs as part of National Recovery Month.

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.