http://www.nmha.org National Mental Health Association Legislative Alert en-us Copyright 2008 National Mental Health Association http://backend.userland.com/rss/ Mon, 12 May 2008 05:40:00 EST http://www.nmha.org/images/top/NMHAlogo100x37.gif http://www.nmha.org Advocacy Needed to Pressure Federal Officials to Forego Harmful Changes The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is developing regulatory changes to the rehabilitation services option in Medicaid that are likely to narrow the scope of services that may be reimbursed through this optional services category. In its FY 2007 budget proposal, the Administration stated that it plans to "clarify allowable services that... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=894 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:00:00 EST Urge Cosponsors to Step-Up Their Support Background: Just before the House of Representatives recessed until November 13, Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN) filed a "discharge petition" to demand a vote on their mental health/substance-use parity bill, H.R. 1402, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act. The sponsors have taken this step because the House Leadership has denied this bill an up-or-down vote. Although 230 Membe... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=892 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Wed, 04 Oct 2006 00:00:00 EST Comment by August 11th to Urge Greater Protections for Vulnerable People As described in recent NMHA legislative alerts, a new law went into effect on July 1st requiring individuals already enrolled in Medicaid and new applicants to the program to provide specific documents demonstrating their U.S. citizenship. As we advised, this requirement could cause many individuals with mental illness to lose access to the vital services and prescription medications they receive through... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=869 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Wed, 02 Aug 2006 00:00:00 EST Upcoming August Recess Pivotal Time to Meet Members of Congress The House and Senate appropriations committees have taken important steps in support of our calls to reverse proposed cuts in federal funding for mental health services, supports and research. We will need the full House and Senate to maintain these initial actions to restore funding. The month-long August recess is a good time to talk to your Members of Congress about the importance of maintaining those higher fu... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=864 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:00:00 EST Urge Congress to Include Clarification in Pension Reform Bill   As of July 1st, individuals already enrolled in Medicaid and those newly applying will be required under a new federal law to provide specific documents demonstrating their U.S. citizenship. (Legal immigrants receiving or applying for Medicaid (who are already required to document their legal immigration status) are exempt from this requirement.) NMHA is extremely concerned that many individuals eligible for ... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=855 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Tue, 27 Jun 2006 00:00:00 EST Advocacy Needed to Prevent Millions from Losing Coverage A new Medicaid requirement that states must secure evidence of U.S citizenship from any individuals applying for or seeking to renew eligibility for Medicaid coverage goes into effect July 1st of this year. Without further clarification from the federal government, this provision basically requires all applicants to provide a passport or birth certificate along with a driver's license to demonstrate citizenship. This... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=835 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 EST Grassroots Efforts Preserve Parity Law Thanks to a tremendous advocacy effort by NMHA, its affiliates and numerous coalition partners, on May 11, the Senate defeated the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act (HIMMA, S.1955) by a vote of 55-43. Sixty votes were needed to end debate and clear the way for the bill's passage. Upon losing this key vote, Majority Leader Frist pulled the legislation from the Senate floor. Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Ben Nelson (D-NE... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=831 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Fri, 12 May 2006 00:00:00 EST leg alert Continued Grassroots Action Needed to Defeat S.1955 Summary: On May 9, the Senate will begin debating sweeping legislation that would override every state mental health parity law and all other state insurance protections. The bill is so deeply flawed that no amendments could make it acceptable. Please continue to urge your Senators to vote against S.1955, even if you have already contacted them. Background Please see... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=829 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Mon, 08 May 2006 00:00:00 EST Senate: Defeat Dangerous Insurance-Deregulation Bill, Pass Mental Health Parity This Year House: Urge Continued Opposition to Budget Resolution   S. 1955: Senate Advocacy Needed Summary: The Senate will soon take up sweeping legislation that would override all state mental health parity laws and all other state insurance protections. A grassroots outcry is needed to defeat S. 1955. The bill is so deeply flawed that no amendments could make it acceptable. Ple... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=816 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Mon, 10 Apr 2006 00:00:00 EST Urge the House of Representatives to Oppose the Budget Resolution Summary: On Wednesday, April 5th the House of Representatives is scheduled to debate the FY 2007 Budget Resolution. The House will consider a budget that does not include the $7 billion increase for health and education funding (the Specter-Harkin amendment) which passed the Senate overwhelmingly on March 16th (73-27; Roll Call Vote 58). Your voice is critical in urging your Representative to oppose the Budg... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=807 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 EST Urge House Budget Panel to Support Amendment for Public Health and Education Increases Summary: Responding to grassroots voices, the Senate overwhelmingly adopted (73-27; Roll Call Vote 58) an amendment by Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) to increase health and education funding by $7 billion and rejected White House-proposed cuts in the FY 2007 budget. The House Budget Committee is scheduled to consider the successful Specter-Harkin amendment, to be introdu... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=804 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Thu, 23 Mar 2006 00:00:00 EST Grassroots Action Needed on Bill Overriding State Parity, Consumer Laws Summary: With a key Senate Committee having approved sweeping legislation that would override state insurance mandates (including state mental health parity and other laws that protect people with chronic illnesses), a grassroots outcry is needed to defeat S. 1955, a bill being falsely marketed as a solution for uninsured Americans. Background The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP)... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=802 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Wed, 22 Mar 2006 00:00:00 EST Urge your Senators to Support Specter-Harkin Amendment Summary: NMHA has been active in urging Congress to reject cuts proposed in the President’s Fiscal Year 2007 budget, and is beginning to see the fruits of those efforts. As the Senate moves to take up a budget blueprint (the budget resolution) during the week of March 13th, the chair and ranking minority member of the Senate Labor/Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, Senators Arlen Specter (R... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=796 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Mon, 13 Mar 2006 00:00:00 EST Urge Members to Reject Presidents Misplaced Priorities In a budget proposal largely shaped by a goal of freeing up funds for continued and substantially expanded tax cuts, the Administration has proposed another round of cuts to programs that support mental health consumers in a budget that further threatens access to critical health care services. Congress will closely consider these proposals as it begins developing its FY 2007 budget resolution over the next few weeks. ... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=792 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Tue, 21 Feb 2006 00:00:00 EST Members: CBO Says Medicaid Cuts Spell Tragedy! As we’ve advised, the House of Representatives is expected vote Wednesday, February 1st on final passage of S. 1932, the Budget Reconciliation bill, that would cut Medicaid spending, and achieve billions in “savings” by imposing higher cost-sharing on beneficiaries and reducing their benefits and services. New details have emerged on the impact these cuts will have on vulnerable Americans (see belo... http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=782 infoctr@nmha.org (National Mental Health Association) Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST