GOP House Budget Bill Threatens County Funding
Jack Phillips
Mr. Phillips is responsible to assist the association with health policy, which primarily includes member communication and advocacy with the Governor’s office, General Assembly, and state regulatory agencies. Mr. Phillips was most recently at the Pennsylvania Department of State as Director of Legislative Affairs.
Contact Your Senator to Support Mental Health First Aid Training Funding
Now that Congress has finalized the FY2017 appropriations process, it is poised to begin working on appropriations for FY2018.
Mental Health First Aid champion Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is today circulating a letter requesting continued funding for Mental Health First Aid trainings. The program that provides training to emergency first responders, law enforcement personnel, primary care personnel, Human Resources professionals, faith community leaders, veterans, teachers, and students and their parents.
Will you please take two minutes and urge your Senator to sign on to the Dear Colleague letter (text below) supporting Mental Health First Aid training for this important population?
Earlier this year, Representatives Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) circulated a similar letter and due, in part, to outreach by National Council advocates, 23 bipartisan legislators signed on to a letter supporting Mental Health First Aid in the House.
Today, we are asking you again to demonstrate that bipartisan, nationwide support for Mental Health First Aid and ask your Senators to sign on.
Thank you for your hard work and advocacy!
Sincerely,
Chuck Ingoglia
Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Practice Improvement
National Council for Behavioral Health
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The Honorable Roy Blunt The Honorable Patty Murray
Chairman Ranking Member
Senate Labor/HHS Appropriations Senate Labor/HHS Appropriations
Subcommittee Subcommittee
135 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. 156 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Chairman Blunt and Ranking Member Murray:
We are writing to urge you to include the current funding level of $15 million for Mental Health First Aid and important Committee report language in the FY 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS) appropriations bill. This important mental health training program will improve education and awareness about mental illness in our communities, giving those trained the ability to intervene and address mental health crises as they happen.
Mental Health First Aid is an evidenced-based education program that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental illness. Since FY 2014, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has funded state and local educational agencies to support the training of school personnel including classroom teachers, counselors, and principals. Most recently, the agency has maintained the program’s youth focus, but expanded the eligible grantees to include youth-focused organizations and nonprofits, as well as community colleges.
Last year, as part of its One Mind Campaign, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) endorsed Mental Health First Aid as an evidence-based practice to improve law enforcement interactions involving persons with mental illnesses. To date, nearly sixty local law enforcement agencies have adopted the IACP One Mind Campaign pledge to train and certify 100 percent of their incoming cadets, sworn patrol officers, and police dispatchers in Mental Health First Aid.
In view of these developments, we are proposing the inclusion of committee report language that would add public safety audiences to the Mental Health First Aid program. Particularly for law enforcement personnel, the crisis de-escalation component of the training protects the lives of both officers and citizens experiencing psychiatric crises.
Therefore, we ask that the Committee add this language to the FY 2018 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report:
Mental Health First Aid – The Committee is pleased with the progress of Mental Health First Aid including training more than 740,000 Americans to recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental disorders. In continuing competitive funding opportunities, SAMHSA is directed to include as eligible grantees local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency medical units with a special emphasis on training for crisis de-escalation techniques. SAMHSA is also encouraged to prioritize training for veterans, armed services personnel, and their family members within the Mental Health First Aid program.
As mental illness impacts the lives of millions of Americans and their families and too many mental health disorders continue to go undiagnosed and untreated, we must make prudent investments to improve mental health awareness in our communities. That is why we urge you to support funding for Mental Health First Aid in FY 2018 and include this important report language.
Sincerely,
Richard Blumenthal
U.S. Senator
Questions, contact Jack Phillips.
RCPA Submits Letter on Agency Unification and Government Efficiencies
Late last week, RCPA submitted a letter to Secretaries Dallas, Murphy, Osborne, and Acting Secretary Smith regarding agency unification and government efficiencies. The letter was also sent to all of the oversight committee chairs. The list of efficiencies was compiled from input received from RCPA members and staff. Questions, contact Jack Phillips.
Senate Committee Passes SB 561
Today, the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee passed SB 561. The senate bill amends the Regulatory Review Act to require the General Assembly and the Governor to approve all regulations with an economic impact or cost to the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, and to the private sector that exceed $1.0 million.
RCPA staff has been successful in amending the bill to include legislative language – “the private sector” – because of the economic impact regulations have on health and human service providers’ budgets. RCPA staff continues to work with the prime sponsor and the state senate on this important piece of legislation. Questions, contact Jack Phillips.
Contact your State Legislators Regarding Human Service Funding Cuts
The Secretaries of the Departments of Human Services, Aging, Health, and Drug and Alcohol Programs sent a letter to the Senate and House Appropriations Committee Chairs and copied other committee chairs, expressing grave concerns about proposed funding cuts to human services programs in House budget bill HB 218.
RCPA strongly supports the Secretaries’ position. RCPA believes that these funding cuts will hurt our providers and those they serve; therefore, RCPA asks members to contact your state senator and representative and ask them to fully fund the line items that have been targeted for cuts. Questions, contact Jack Phillips, RCPA Director, Government Affairs.
Urge Your Legislators to Oppose the Revised American Health Care Act
Congress will vote TODAY on the American Health Care Act. While congressional leaders believe they have the votes to pass the health care reform bill, experts are saying this vote will come down to the wire.
With dozens of legislators still undecided, constituent advocacy and outreach are the only things that will move votes into the “No” column. Will you take action today and urge Congress to vote “No” on the American Health Care Act?
- Dial this number: 202-224-3121 and ask for your Representative.
- Share with them this message:
- Your message: “I am calling about the American Health Care Act. I urge you to oppose the amended bill and reject any proposal that results in cuts or rollbacks of Medicaid. The amended bill directly targets important protections like the essential health benefits and protections for those with pre-existing conditions and hurts efforts to achieve parity in health care. Any proposals that rollback Medicaid coverage or restrict people’s access to treatment will have a devastating effect on millions of Americans with mental illness or addiction. I’m calling from [city, state, and zip] and my name is [first and last name].”
**Need help finding your Rep? Click here!**
Since January, thousands of National Council advocates have engaged with us and their legislators, writing letters, making phone calls and hosting meetings. Thousands of advocates have worked hard to ensure their voices and their priorities were heard on Capitol Hill. We thank you for that amazing work and hope you will join us once again today as we work to stop the passage of this harmful legislation.
Together, we can work to preserve Medicaid and protect coverage of mental health and addictions treatment for millions of Americans. Together, we can #Unite4BH!
Sincerely,
Chuck Ingoglia
Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Practice Improvement
National Council for Behavioral Health
Joint Senate Committee Hearing on Proposed Consolidation
The Senate Committees on Health and Human Services, Aging and Youth, Intergovernmental Operations, and the Appropriations’ Health and Human Services Subcommittee will hold a hearing to gather testimony on the proposed consolidation of the Departments of Human Services, Health, Aging and Drug & Alcohol. The hearing will take place on Monday, May 1, 2017, from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm at the William Pitt Union Assembly Room on the University of Pittsburgh Campus.
Joint hearings were already held in Harrisburg and Reading. RCPA presented testimony at the Reading hearing on April 13. Please contact Jack Phillips, RCPA Director of Government Affairs, with any questions.
Governor’s Office Announces Website For HHS Consolidation
Dear fellow HHS stakeholders:
Yesterday, the Governor’s office published a website for folks to learn more about the Governor’s HHS unification proposal. The site will allow stakeholders to review the draft legislation and see the draft organizational charts. The site also includes a way for the public to provide feedback.
You can view the website here. Questions, contact Jack Phillips, RCPA Director, Government Affairs.
Articles Sought for American Journal of Preventive Medicine
RCPA received an email seeking articles related to behavioral health workforce. If you are interested in submitting an article the process is outlined below. Any questions, contact Jack Phillips.
Call for Abstracts for AJPM Supplement Issue
Behavioral Health Workforce: Projections, Practice, and Preparation
The Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center at the University of Michigan is sponsoring a supplement issue in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (AJPM) entitled Behavioral Health Workforce: Projections, Practice, and Preparation.
Overview of Supplement Topic:
Demand for mental health and substance use condition prevention and treatment continues to grow, placing additional stress on a workforce that already suffers from inadequate supply, maldistribution, and numerous policies restricting reimbursement and effective service delivery. This supplement issue will highlight research findings and best practices for the behavioral health workforce to inform policies aimed at relieving the workforce crisis faced by the field.
Guest editors for this supplement issue are:
- Angela J. Beck, PhD, MPH, Director, Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
- Ronald W. Manderscheid, PhD, Executive Director, National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors
- Peter I. Buerhaus, PhD, RN, FAAN, Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies, Montana State University
Editors are seeking articles related to three behavioral health workforce themes:
- Workforce data collection/supply and demand projections;
- Workforce factors impacting service delivery; and
- Workforce development.
Process for Article Selection:
Interested authors should submit the following information to Angela Beck by Sunday, April 30, 2017:
- A 200-word article abstract;
- The behavioral health workforce supplement theme of most relevance to your article; and
- The AJPM article type that best describes your article (brief report, research article, or special article). See AJPM Author Instructions for more information.
Issue Timeline:
- May 12, 2017: Authors notified of invitation to submit full papers for publication consideration
- July 28, 2017: Full papers due to guest editors
- June 2018: Projected publication date of supplement issue
Legislative Action for the Week of March 20
The following bills were voted out of the House and will now move to the Senate for their consideration.
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Baker, Matt |
(PN 92) The Epinephrine Auto-Injector Entity Act provides for the use and stock of epinephrine auto-injectors by recreation camps, colleges and universities, day-care facilities, youth sports leagues, amusement parks, restaurants, places of employment, and sports arenas. Requires completed training by employees of eligible institutions before administration and provides Good Samaritan protections. Effective in 60 days. |
HB 126 passed unanimously on Wednesday, March 22 by a vote of 191 YEAS, 0 NAYS.
| HB 478 | Pickett, Tina | (PN 502) The Outpatient Psychiatric Oversight Act requires an outpatient psychiatric clinic to have a psychiatrist on site for two hours of psychiatric time per week for each fulltime equivalent treatment staff member employed by the clinic. Further provides telepsychiatry provided by a psychiatrist that is not on site with prescriptive authority in Pennsylvania may be utilized with a service description approved by the Department of Human Services but shall not be included in the required psychiatric time. Also provides that 50 percent of the required on-site time may be provided by other advanced practice professionals specializing in behavioral health with prescriptive authority in Pennsylvania. Requires the Department of Human Services to promulgate regulations as necessary to carry out the provisions of the act. Effective in 60 days. |
HB 478 passed unanimously on Wednesday, March 22 by a vote of 190 YEAS, 0 NAYS. RCPA already has a meeting with Senate Health and Human Services Committee staff on Friday, March 31 to discuss moving this bill out of committee.
| HB 644 | Baker, Matt | (PN 681) Amends the Community-Based Health Care Act, in health care assistance, further providing for Community-Based Health Care Program by removing the 25 percent limitation on grants awarded going to federally qualified health centers. Effective in 60 days. |
HB 644 passed unanimously on Wednesday, March 22 by a vote of 190 YEAS, 0 NAYS.
| HR 63 | Costa, Dom | (PN 297) Resolution recognizing April 2, 2017, as “World Autism Awareness Day” in Pennsylvania. |
HR 63 passed unanimously on Wednesday, March 22 by a vote of 195 YEAS, 0 NAYS.
| HR 132 | Toohil, Tarah | (PN 825) Resolution recognizing the month of March 2017 as “Intellectual Disability Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania. |
HR 132 passed unanimously on Wednesday, March 22 by a vote of 195 YEAS, 0 NAYS. The State Senate did not vote on any bills that RCPA has on its legislative tracking report. Questions, contact Jack Phillips, RCPA Director, Government Affairs.
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