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Advocacy Alert: April 2020 Legislative News Round Up
A round-up of legislative news stories we posted in April 2020.
Advocacy Alert: BHAP Signs Letter for MAT Treatment Recommendations
The novel coronavirus (coronavirus 2 or “SARS-CoV-2,” which causes COVID-19) has placed healthcare professionals in a challenging situation in terms of needing to respond to the crisis, while at the same time minimizing contact with all patients in order to curb the spread of the disease. Our partner Nelson Hardiman breaks down the relaxed rules regarding telehealth during this crisis.
Advocacy Alert: April 2020 Advocacy Update for BHAP Members
An Advocacy Update for BHAP members only from our advocate in Washington, DC: Andrew Kessler with Slingshot Solutions.
You must be a BHAP member (and logged in) to view this content.
This month, he writes an update regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Advocacy Alert: March 2020 Legislative News Round Up
A round-up of legislative news stories we posted in March 2020.
Advocacy Alert: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Prompts Relaxed Enforcement of HIPAA Requirements Relating to Telehealth
The novel coronavirus (coronavirus 2 or “SARS-CoV-2,” which causes COVID-19) has placed healthcare professionals in a challenging situation in terms of needing to respond to the crisis, while at the same time minimizing contact with all patients in order to curb the spread of the disease. Our partner Nelson Hardiman breaks down the relaxed rules regarding telehealth during this crisis.
Advocacy Alert: March 2020 Advocacy Update for BHAP Members
An Advocacy Update for BHAP members only from our advocate in Washington, DC: Andrew Kessler with Slingshot Solutions.
You must be a BHAP member (and logged in) to view this content.
This month, he writes about the ‘Combating an Epidemic: Legislation to Help Patients with Substance Use Disorders’ hearing, the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force Legislative Agenda, and the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Advocacy Alert: TIME SENSITIVE — SUD Workforce Expansion Budget Proposal
Section 805.8 of the California Business and Professions Code was added to the statutory framework. Our partner Nelson Hardiman breaks down what that means for you and your facility.
Advocacy Alert: February 2020 Legislative News Round Up
A round-up of legislative news stories we posted in February 2020.
Advocacy Alert: New Mandatory Reporting Requirement: Patient Allegations of Sexual Misconduct by his/her Licensed Provider
Section 805.8 of the California Business and Professions Code was added to the statutory framework. Our partner Nelson Hardiman breaks down what that means for you and your facility.
Advocacy Alert: February 2020 Advocacy Update for BHAP Members
An Advocacy Update for BHAP members only from our advocate in Washington, DC: Andrew Kessler with Slingshot Solutions.
You must be a BHAP member (and logged in) to view this content.
This month, he writes about the Family Support Services for Addiction Act, the federal budget, and some new policies from the White House.
Advocacy Alert: January 2020 Legislative News Round Up
A round-up of legislative news stories we posted in January 2020.
Advocacy Alert: BHAP Endorses New Legislation to Make Behavioral Health More Affordable
The Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act would require insurance to cover three primary care visits and three mental health or substance use disorder treatment visits per year without charging patients out-of-pocket.
Advocacy Alert: January 2020 Advocacy Update for BHAP Members
An Advocacy Update for BHAP members only from our advocate in Washington, DC: Andrew Kessler with Slingshot Solutions.
You must be a BHAP member (and logged in) to view this content.
This month, he writes about the budget and how the policy priorities of BHAP for the upcoming year begin to take shape.
Advocacy Alert: December 2019 Legislative News Round Up
A round-up of legislative news stories we posted in December 2019.
Advocacy Alert: The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights Settles its First Right of Access HIPAA Enforcement Action Under New Initiative
On September 6, 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) settled its first HIPAA enforcement action under its Right of Access Initiative. Announced earlier this year, the Initiative is aimed at protecting the right of patients to receive copies of their medical records in a timely fashion and without being overcharged.
Advocacy Alert: November 2019 Legislative News Round Up
A round-up of legislative news stories we posted in November 2019.
Advocacy Alert: AB51 – Eliminating Most Mandatory Arbitrations in Employment and Labor Law Settings
Governor Newsom signs controversial AB 51 anti-arbitration law. Our partner Nelson Hardiman breaks down what this means for behavioral health providers.
Advocacy Alert: November 2019 Advocacy Update for BHAP Members
An Advocacy Update for BHAP members only from our advocate in Washington, DC: Andrew Kessler with Slingshot Solutions.
You must be a BHAP member (and logged in) to view this content.
This month, he writes about the budget with regards to appropriations and veteran legislation.
Advocacy Alert: October 2019 Legislative News Round Up
A round-up of legislative news stories we posted in October 2019.
Advocacy Alert: Legal Changes in California Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Industries: Key Takeaways
The 2019 California legislative session has closed. Our partner Nelson Hardiman provides some key takeaways for behavioral healthcare providers from this session.
Advocacy Alert: California AB 5 Codifies the Dynamex Independent Contractor Test and Expands the Definition of Employee
The State of California expands the definition of employee versus independent contractor. Our partner Nelson Hardiman provides a breakdown of what that means, and how it may apply to healthcare facilities.
Advocacy Alert: October 2019 Advocacy Update for BHAP Members
An Advocacy Update for BHAP members only from our advocate in Washington, DC: Andrew Kessler with Slingshot Solutions.
You must be a BHAP member (and logged in) to view this content.
This month, he writes about education programs for incarcerated individuals.
Advocacy Alert: September 2019 Legislative News Round Up
A round-up of legislative news stories we posted in September 2019.
September 2019 Advocacy Update for BHAP Members
An Advocacy Update for BHAP members only from our advocate in Washington, DC: Andrew Kessler with Slingshot Solutions.
You must be a BHAP member (and logged in) to view this content.
This month, he writes about federal funding and patient confidentiality.
Advocacy Alert: Health Care Services Director Jennifer Kent Resigns
California Department of Health Care Services Director Jennifer Kent is resigning as head of the state’s largest agency, which provides health care benefits for 13.2 million low-income people, POLITICO has learned.
August 2019 Advocacy Update for BHAP Members
An Advocacy Update for BHAP members only from our advocate in Washington, DC: Andrew Kessler with Slingshot Solutions.
You must be a BHAP member (and logged in) to view this content.
This month, he writes about social determinants and the Turn the Tide Act.
July 2019 Advocacy Update for BHAP Members
On behalf of Slingshot Solutions, thank you for your membership in BHAP and your commitment to advocacy that will shape the future of behavioral health. As your advocate in Washington, D.C., it is my responsibility to keep you informed when it comes to policy developments, and to represent your interests before the federal government. We do this by working with Congress, the White House and executive agencies, and other interest groups and coalitions.
I look forward to our work together!
Andrew Kessler
Principal
Slingshot Solutions LLC
You must be a BHAP member (and logged in) to view this content.
Legislative Alert: California Laws on Opioids and Conservatorship
California passed two laws in September 2018: one on opioid education, and the other on the procedures to appoint a conservator for a person who is incapable of caring for their own health and well-being due to mental illness and substance use disorder.
Advocacy Alert: Spencer Recovery Parity Act Claims
California and Florida treatment facilities claim parity act violations against United Behavioral Health and Optum.
Advocacy Alert: Recovery Housing, Prescription Forms, and an Addiction Caucus
Pennsylvania is finalizing regulations for recovery houses, California recently passed a bill regarding security measures on prescriptions for controlled substances, and Facing Addiction has a new petition.
Legislative Alert: Colorado Modernizing Behavioral Health Terminology
Back in March, Colorado passed a bill that helps modernize terminology used in the behavioral health industry.
Advocacy Alert: Federal Bills on Recovery Residences
BHAP’s positions on two bills that are dealing with recovery residences.
Advocacy Alert: Federal Acts for SUD and Opioid Crisis
BHAP’s positions on SB 3462, which deals with substance use disorder, and HB 4284, which is legislation around the opioid crisis.
Legislative Alert: Administration Provides Flexibility for IMD Exclusion
On November 13, 2018, HHS Secretary Alex Azar stated that the CMS is expanding the IMD Exclusion.
Advocacy Alert: Massachusetts Substance Use Disorder Treatment Bills
BHAP’s positions on two bills in Massachusetts, H 2181 and S 1096.
Advocacy Alert: New Jersey Opioid Crisis Bills
BHAP’s positions on New Jersey AB 4300 and SB 2638.
Legislative Alert: Rhode Island Naloxone Access, Good Samaritan Act, and Chemical Dependency Professionals
On July 2, 2018, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed a number of bills relating to the addiction industry: HB 8313, SB 2930, SB 3004, and SB 2225.
Advocacy Alert: California Substance Use Disorder Bills
BHAP’s positions on California AB 1929, AB 2904, and SB 1290.
Legislative Alert: Hawai’i Counselor Licensure and Opioid Antagonists
In July, Hawai’i Governor David Ige signed SB 2647 (Relating to Mental Health Counselors” and SB 2247 (Relating to Opioid Antagonists).
Advocacy Alert: Federal Synthetic Drug and Medicaid Institutes for Mental Disease
BHAP’s positions on federal House Bills 449 (Synthetic Drug Awareness Act of 2018) and 5800 (which deals with Medicaid institutes for mental disease).
Advocacy Alert: Empowering Pharmacists and Better Data Act
BHAP’s positions on federal House Bills 4275 (Empowering Pharmacists in the Fight Against Opioid Abuse Act) and 5473 (Better Pain Management Through Better Data Act of 2018).
Legislative Alert: Senate Passes Opioid Package – Final Round
The Senate passed the Opioid Package, SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6).
Legislative Alert: Florida Certification for PHPs
Florida’s unregulated recovery residences recently had a new order involving certification.
Legislative Alert: New California Treatment Facility Regulations
California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law four laws relating to regulations surrounding alcoholism or drug abuse treatment facilities: AB 3162, SB 992, SB 823, and SB 1228.
Advocacy Alert: Ohio Senators Add Proposal to Lift the IMD Exclusion
Ohio Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown have added a bipartisan proposal to lift the IMD Exclusion.
Legislative Alert: California Addiction Treatment Referral Payments
More information on California Senate Bill 1268, regarding addiction treatment referrals and payment.
Advocacy Alert: Federal Opioid Acts: Connections, Abuse Deterrent, and Comprehensive Recovery Centers
BHAP’s views on HB 5812 (Connections Act), HB 5582 (Abuse Deterrent Access Act of 2018), and HB 5327 (Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act of 2018).
Legislative Alert: Senate Passes Opioid Package
On September 17, 2018, the Senate passed its opioid package of 70 bills. Here’s some information about it.
Legislative Alert: Missouri Modified Provisions to Health Care (MO SB826)
Information about Missouri’s Senate Bill 826, which modifies certain provisions relating to health care.
Advocacy Alert: Getting Involved in California (AB3055), Massachusetts (S2202), and Louisiana (HB690)
We provide some more information about California AB 3055, Massachusetts S2202, and Louisiana HB 690.
Advocacy Alert: Federal Acts for Counterfeit Drugs and Opioid Response (HB 5228 and HB 5109)
Information on the SCREEN Act (Stop Counterfeit Drugs by Regulating and Enhancing Enforcement Now Act) and the Federal Opioid Response Fairness Act of 2018.
Legislative Alert: MA H4742: An Act for Prevention and Access to Appropriate Care and Treatment of Addiction
Information about Massachusetts H4742, which deals with combating the opioid crisis.
Advocacy Alert: California Licensure and Insurance Issues
California has two bills: one on alcoholism or drug abuse treatment facilities and one on health care service plans: 3rd-party payments.
Legislative Alert: Hawai’i Opioid Crisis: Prescriptions and Labeling
Information about Hawai’i’s SB 2244 (Relating to Workers’ Compensation) and HB 1602 (Relating to Opioids).
Legislative Alert: New Hampshire State Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services Program
Information about New Hampshire’s SB 487, which establishes a state substance use disorder treatment program.
Advocacy Alert: New York Addiction Amendments to Public Health Law
BHAP’s positions on two bills in New York dealing with amendments to the public health law, S00687 and A07408.
Advocacy Alert: Federal Money: EHRs, Opioid Alternatives, and SUE Workforce Loans
BHAP’s positions on three federal bills that deal with money: HB 3331 (EHR adoption), HB 5197 (ALTO Act), and HB 5102 (a loan repayment act).
Legislative Alert: Rhode Island Insurance Coverage for Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
Rhode Island passed S 2540, “Insurance Coverage for Mental Illness and Substance Abuse”.
Advocacy Alert: California After School Programs, Opioid Prevention, and Medi-Cal Reimbursement
BHAP’s positions on three assembly bills from California: AB 1744 (dealing with after school programs), AB 2486 (the Opioid Prevention and Rehabilitation Act), and AB 1963 (dealing with Medi-Cal reimbursement).
Legislative Alert: Updates to Hawai’i’s Uniform Controlled Substance Act
Hawai’i Governor David Ige signed two bills that update the state’s Uniform Controlled Substance Act.
Advocacy Alert: Federal Bills on Overdose Funding and Evidence-Based Standards
BHAP’s positions on two federal bills: HB 5176 and HB 5272.
Advocacy Alert: Federal Opioid Legislation
There are two pieces of federal legislation currently in Senate committees that BHAP would like to inform you of: HB 5685 (Medicare Opioid Safety Education Act of 2018) and HB 5353 (Eliminating Opioid Related Infectious Diseases Act of 2018). Also, we’ve updated our “Frequently Asked Questions” for Washington.
Advocacy Alert: Arizona House Bills: Dual Diagnosis and Regulation of the Behavioral Health Board
BHAP’s positions on two bills in Arizona, HB 2251, which deals with dual diagnosis, and HB 2406, which deals with the behavioral health board.
Legislative Alert: Grant for Tennessee Behavioral Health Pilot Project
Information about TN SB 0045.
Advocacy Alert: Opioid Crisis & Third-Party Payors
More information on the opioid crisis litigation, as well as information on Washington, DC’s Behavioral Health Third Party Payor Emergency Amendment Act of 2018.
Advocacy Alert: Ethical Marketing — Illinois HB 4949 and New York AB 7689
Both Illinois and New York are considering bills dealing with ethical marketing practices in the addiction treatment industry.
Legislative Alert: Connecticut Sober Living House Registration
The Colorado State Legislature recently passed HB 5149, which deals with sober living homes.
Legislative Alert: Florida’s Don Hahnfeldt Veteran and Military Family Opportunity Act
On March 13, 2018, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed HB 29, better known as the Don Hahnfeldt Veteran and Military Family Opportunity Act.
Advocacy Alert: South Carolina SB 962 and New York AB 10870
South Carolina has a bill on licensure for addiction counselors and New York has a bill on sober living homes in the works.
Advocacy Alert: New Jersey and California Opioid Prescription Regulations
BHAP’s positions on two Assembly bills in California and an Assembly bill in New Jersey surrounding the opioid crisis.
Legislative Alert: Tennessee HB 2068: Substance Abuse Marketing
Tennessee recently passed HB 2068, which prohibits certain marketing practices by alcohol and drug treatment facilities.
Advocacy Alert: California, New York, and Federal Issues
The ongoing issues regarding recovery residences and certification are being looked at in both California and New York as well as at a federal level. Meanwhile, similar bills in the House and Senate threaten the privacy of treatment facility patients.
Legislative Alert: Oregon Addiction Legislation and AL Youth Residential Facility Abuse Prevention Act
Information on Oregon’s HB 4143, HB 4137, and Executive Order No. 18-01, as well as Alabama’s Youth Residential Facility Abuse Prevention Act.
Advocacy Alert: California AB 2804 (Waldron) and South Carolina SB 962
California is looking at a bill that will expand the substance use disorder workforce, while South Carolina is considering a bill that would create mandatory licensure for addiction counselors.
Legislative Alert: Arizona Sober Living Homes Licensure & Certification
Arizona just enacted a law that involves licensure requirements for sober living homes.
Advocacy Alert: Illinois Substance Use Disorder Act
Illinois is considering important amendments to the state’s current “Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act.”
Advocacy Alert: Senate and House Considering Addiction Bills
Major legislation that will impact the addiction treatment field is at the forefront of both the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in the Senate and the Energy and Commerce Committee in the US House of Representatives.
Advocacy Alert: New York SB 6544A and Illinois HB 4949
Laws around patient brokering in New York and in Illinois are discussed.
Legislative Alert: Utah House Bill 14
Patient brokering in Utah is now a criminal act.
Advocacy Alert: AATA Supports CA AB-2214 and NJ A3607
With the opioid crisis getting national attention, many states have introduced bills to create voluntary certification through a state organization affiliated with the national standard-setting organization chosen by DHCS.
Advocacy Alert: AATA Supports California SB 1268
California is joining the list of states considering targeted legislation to combat the abusive and destructive practice of patient brokering in the addiction treatment industry.
Advocacy Alert: New Jersey Regulations — AB 3607
The bipartisan bill Assembly Bill 3607 has was introduced into the New Jersey State Legislature.
Legislative Alert: Pennsylvania Legislation on Recovery Houses Licensure & Certification
At the end of 2017, Pennsylvania passed a law mandating the licensure or certification of certain drug and alcohol recovery houses.
Advocacy Alert: Sign Letter to Attorneys General
BHAP urges you to sign a letter to the National Association of Attorneys General about the opioid settlements.
Legislative Alert: Congress Proposes Changes to Ryan Haight Act
Two draft discussion bills have been introduced in Congress that would amend the federal Ryan Haight Act for telemedicine.
Legislative Alert: Arizona Sober Living Homes Licensure & Certification
On February 22, 2018, Arizona legislators introduced House Bill 2529, which would establish licensure requirements for sober living homes.
A national membership association that provides education and advocacy for those in the behavioral health and addiction treatment industries.
We are the leading and unifying voice of addiction-focused treatment programs.
