Welcome to the Summer 2004 edition of NMHA’s State Advocacy Update. This issue examines three issues that have potential impact across the nation including: state budget trends affecting mental health services, Medicaid reform efforts in Florida involving the HIFA waiver program, and ways to encourage consumer participation in the Medicare Drug Card Program. This edition SAU continues to offer the latest on state and local healthcare reform activities and a list of new and valuable resources.

In this Issue...

• Table of Contents
• The Blueprint Crisis Response Project: Lessons Learned
• Evidence-Based Practice:
  A look at Federal and State Approaches
• State Budget Trends:
  The Impact on Mental Health
• The Medicare Drug Card Program:
  Encouraging Enrollment
• Medicaid Reform:
  Examining the HIFA waiver in Florida
• HIFA Waiver Update
• Tools for Advocates
• NMHA Advocacy Meetings:
  Promoting and Implementing Change