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Congress Resumes Informal Talks on Budget Reconciliation Legislation

Last week, President Biden delivered his first State of the Union address. In the speech, he acknowledged that a priority for his domestic policy agenda was to support home-based and long-term care. This is consistent with the President’s original Build Back Better plan, which included funding for the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program, and was included in the House-passed budget reconciliation bill [read full update here].

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Message from HHS:

In his State of the Union address, the President outlined a unity agenda consisting of policy where there has historically been support from both Republicans and Democrats, and called on Congress to send bills to his desk to deliver progress for the American people. As part of the unity agenda, he announced a strategy to address our national mental health crisis. Addressing this crisis is a priority for the Administration, and a personal commitment of the President. That’s why he has laid out a comprehensive whole-of-government strategy to build system capacity, connect more people to care, and provide support to Americans, especially kids, by fostering healthy environments in real world and online.

To further discuss the Strategy to Address our National Mental Health Crisis, the HHS Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs invites you to join us Wednesday, March 2 at 3:30 PM ET for a Stakeholder Briefing.

The Stakeholder Briefing will include remarks from:

  • Andrea Palm, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, US Surgeon General
  • Rebecca Haffajee, JD, PhD, MPH, Acting Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
  • Rachel Pryor, JD, MSW, Counselor to the Secretary of HHS
  • Marvin Figueroa, Director of the HHS Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs

Please note that each individual attendee must register in order to access the meeting. Please feel free to send this invitation to your members and network. The event is only for stakeholders and is not open to the press. Please note, this briefing will be recorded.

If there are any accommodations that would make this meeting accessible to you, please reach out to us.

Marvin Figueroa, Director
Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs
US Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC

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Effective January 16, 2022, HHS Secretary Becerra renewed the public health emergency declaration for another ninety days as a result of the continued consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. View the ACCSES Update for more details.

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Advocacy Alert

Do you believe older adults and individuals with disabilities should have easier access to mental health services? (We certainly do).

 

Currently, marriage and family therapists and licensed mental health counselors are not eligible Medicare providers, despite the important role they play in delivering treatment, recovery, and prevention services.

 

However, there is new legislation to change that – and it needs your support!

 

On March 18, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) reintroduced the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 828). This legislation would allow marriage and family therapists and licensed mental health counselors to participate in the Medicare program, dramatically expanding access to care for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

 

This simple change would immediately increase patients’ access to needed care, particularly in underserved communities, rural areas, and areas with a mental health workforce shortage.

 

Will you take two minutes today to urge your Senators to cosponsor the Mental Health Access Improvement Act? 

Thank you to those of you who already took action to ask your Representatives to cosponsor the House version.

Sincerely,

Chuck Ingoglia
President and CEO
National Council for Behavioral Health

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Today, Xavier Becerra was confirmed, with a narrow approval (50-49), as the new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Becerra, currently serving as California’s Attorney General, was also a former member of Congress. He will play a part in the Biden Administration’s  plans to create a Medicare-like public health care option, health care reform, and take on a major role with HHS helping to facilitate COVD-19 vaccinations and testing efforts. Read more.

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