NAMI UPDATE: INCREASE FOR VETERANS

House Passes Increases for Veterans Mental Illness Treatment

August 1, 2008

By a vote of 409-4 the House today passed legislation funding the Department of Veterans Affairs for FY 2009. The bill (HR 6599) includes $3.8 billion for mental illness treatment and $584 million for substance abuse treatment in the VA, significant increases over current year funding. Overall, the Veterans Health Administration budget is set at $40.8 billion for FY 2009 -- $1.6 billion more than the President requested and $3.9 billion more than current levels. It is projected that the VA will serve 5.8 million veterans in 2009.

For homeless veterans, HR 6599 allocates $130 million for the homeless grants and per diem program, rejecting a proposal from the Bush Administration to cut the program by $8 million. This allocation also includes $32 million to hire additional personnel as part of the joint HUD-VA "VASH" program for veterans supportive housing. A separate bill funding the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) appropriates an additional $75 million at HUD for rent subsidies, i.e. the housing side of this joint program.

The bill also includes $500 million for medical research at the VA, $38 million more than the President requested and $20 million more than was allocated in FY 2008. A full summary of HR 6599 can be found HERE:

Next Steps for the VA Budget

With House action on the VA spending bill, Congress has now adjourned for its summer recess and will not return to Washington until the week of September 8. In September, these will be efforts to complete action on HR 6599 before FY 2009 begins on October 1. However, the other FY 2009 discretionary spending bills - including those covering mental illness research, services and housing programs are unlikely to be passed before October 1. As a result these other programs are expected to be funded after October 1 at current FY 2008 levels - perhaps through March of 2009.

SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO REDUCE CRIMINALIZATION AND PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION EDUCATIONresources

July 24, 2008

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has introduced a package of bills, the Advancing America's Priorities Act (S. 3297) that includes the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act (MIOTCRA) and the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act (S 1375). These two bills address important priorities for people with mental illnesses -- reducing criminalization, and providing education and services on postpartum psychiatric disorders. Both bills are among more than 30 pieces of legislation that Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) has placed a hold on in the Senate, halting all action. By combining the bills into one package, sponsors hope to force a vote and overcome the hold.

Act Now!

Contact your Senators today and urge them to support these two important bills that are included in the Advancing America's Priorities Act.

Learn More

Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act

The Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (S 2304/HR 3992) was originally enacted in 2004. This program provides grants to communities and states for jail diversion, community reentry services, and other initiatives to address the needs of people with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders who come into contact with the criminal justice system. The MIOTCRA Reauthorization and Improvement Act would ensure continued increases in overall funding levels for this program. Learn more about MIOTCRA, or read a copy of the bill.

Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act authorizes grants for educational programs and services for postpartum disorders, including postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. The bill also authorizes a consensus research conference and the development of a plan concerning postpartum depression and psychosis.

THIS IS TO IMPORTANT TO IGNORE!

For those of you trying to reach your Senator or Representative's Office about Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver (Line Item 5920-3010), expect delays. If you cannot reach them leave a message with an aid and they will take down your information and get back to you. I did find that the aids will not be able to tell you which side of the fence your Representatives are on, but our only objective is to let them know how we feel and ask them to support our views.

THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT TO IGNORE:

As an advocate for families of members with disabilities, I received this notice today and it is one that we cannot possibly ignore: Please take action immediately and pass this information on.

Dear Massachusetts Autism Advocate:

With the stamp of his veto this past week, Governor Deval Patrick has once again told low-income children with Autism Spectrum Disorders that they would not be able to receive the intensive home-based services (including ABA and Floor Time) provided under the Autism Waiver program. Governor Patrick cut $1 million in funding from this critical program, even though our children are already underserved by this program! During the initial eleven day enrollment period in November 2007 the families of more than 1,100 Massachusetts children with ASD applied for just 80 slots available under the Waiver. Hundreds of low-income children continue to languish on the waiting list!
It is time speak on behalf of low-income children with ASD living in Massachusetts!

Our state legislature recognized the critical need for funding of this program and budgeted $4 million for Fiscal Year 2009. This would double the number of available slots in the program to 160!!

Governor Patrick needs to be aware that this already underserved population simply cannot afford to be shortchanged again. Every child with autism deserves the opportunity to have appropriate intensive intervention. Their future quality of life depends on it.
How Can YOU Help?

1. Immediately CALL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND STATE SENATOR at 617-722-2000 and urge them to support an override of Governor Patrick’s veto of $1 million in funding for the Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver (Line Item 5920-3010). If you are not sure who your representative and senator are you can find out HERE

2. CALL Speaker of the House Salvatore DiMasi at 617-722-2500 and Senate President Therese Murray at 617-722- 1500 and ask them to support an override of Governor Patrick’s veto of $1 million in funding for the Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver (Line Item 5920-3010).

3. Forward this email to everyone you know and ask them to MAKE THE CALL too!!

The override CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED, but we all have to get on the phones to our legislators immediately. Today is the day that you can truly make a difference for a child with ASD.

Thank You,

Judith Ursitti
Massachusetts Chapter Advocacy Chair
Autism Speaks

WE ARE ALL ANGRY!

We should all be aware of this and pay close attention to how we can make the changes necessary. Please watch the whole thing.

MEDICAID REGULATIONS APPROVED!

Victory on Medicaid Regulations!

June 27, 2008

Last night the Senate gave final approval to a supplemental war funding bill that includes moratoria on regulations that would have severely limited the ability of states to fund critical mental health services through the Medicaid program. The bill now moves to the White House where President Bush has pledged to sign it in to law.

Your Voice Made This Victory Possible!

The voice of NAMI advocates all across the country made an enormous difference in building strong bipartisan majorities against these Medicaid regulations, forcing the Bush Administration to back off of previous veto threats. NAMI is extremely grateful to all those who took the time to write and call over the past four months on this important issue.

A Busy Week Leading Up to the July 4th Recess

The Senate's action last night caps a very busy week in Congress on NAMI's federal legislative agenda. The House passed measures to broaden the scope of the Americans with Disabilities Act and to stop abuse of teens in "boot camp" residential programs. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to vote on a measure that would have strengthened Medicare. Congress has now begun its July 4th recess and will not return until July 8. Click on the links below for details on the actions taken by the House and Senate during this very busy week.

Medicaid Regulations Delayed

Senate Falls Short on Medicare Package

House Passes ADA Improvements Act

Congress Begins Work on FY 2009 Spending Bills

House Approves Measure to Stop Abuse in Teen Residential Programs

VOTE EXPECTED ON MEDICAID MORATORIA

Image via WikipediaVote Expected This Week on Medicaid Moratoria

May 12, 2008

This week the House of Representatives is expected to take up legislation providing supplemental funding for the current fiscal year for the military. During consideration of this legislation, an amendment for additional emergency domestic spending (such as educational benefits veterans) will be considered that includes a delay in 7 separate Medicaid regulations that NAMI supports.

Action Required

Advocates are strongly encouraged to call their House member and urge support for the "domestic spending amendment" to the FY 2008 emergency supplemental funding bill and the moratoria on Medicaid regulations (HR 5613) that the House approved on April 23 by a wide bipartisan margin.

Advocates can reach House members by calling 202-224-3121 (not a toll free call). Urge your House member to support the domestic spending amendment and the moratoria on the Medicaid regulations.

Send an e-mail message to your House member today!

View additional information on the proposed Medicaid regulations.