Welcome to the Spring 2006 edition of NMHA’s State Advocacy Update.

This issue of the State Advocacy Update (SAU) examines several policy issues ranging from changes to Medicaid, to proposed changes to federal housing initiatives that will affect the Gulf coast and other communities, to an evolving trend for mental health advocates to watch: Evidence-based healthcare. Two articles highlight budgetary changes that will affect Medicaid and housing initiatives and provide advocates with the impacts of these changes. The SAU spotlight on Evidence-based healthcare provides advocates with a picture of the current landscape of using science to impact public policy as well as principles to support in evidence-based healthcare policy. This edition of the SAU continues to be resource rich by highlighting: a newly released community assessment tool, the mental health needs of older adults in American, state and local activities that promote and support systems transformation, and a list of new and valuable resources for mental health advocates.

We want to hear from you!

• Send us your anecdotes or personal stories about individuals or families who have been affected by budget cuts to mental health systems, or your suggestions for future articles.
• Call or write for more information about the topics we cover.
• Contact Julio Fonseca, Director of Training, Healthcare Reform, at jfonseca@nmha.org or 703-837-3367.