Be AWARE: Regional Budget Hearings

Be aware that the Regional Budget Hearings will be held on January 6 (as listed below). The joint hearings are held each year by the money committees of both the houses of the Virginia General Assembly.

It is especially important this year to have MHAV's voice/ the mental health communities voice heard. We know there are cuts and changes coming (see news articles below).

Roanoke Times Editorial

Staunton News Leader

Regional Budget Hearings usually have many people in attendance. If you want to speak you can register at the hearing one hour prior to the start of the hearing. Speakers are taken in the order of registration and you are allowed to speak for 3 minutes. Arrive early to avoid a line to sign-up to speak. Click here for more details.

Talking points:

Use the attached AWARE flyer points to remind legislators to keep the AWARE criteria in mind as they make decisions.

Emphasize long term good over short term gain.

Emphasize first do no harm. Don't make things worse than the already are.

Emphasize Accountability, Wellness Oriented, Accessibility, Resource Efficient and Evidence supported.

REGIONAL BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE

Thursday, January 6th beginning at 12:00 noon

Norfolk: Norfolk State University, New Student Center, Room #149

Chesterfield County: John Tyler Community College, Chester Campus, Nicholas Auditorium

Lynchburg: Central Virginia Community College

Thursday, January 6th beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Fairfax: Fairfax County Government Center, Board of Supervisors Auditorium

Abingdon: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

National Survivors of Suicide Day is November 20

National Survivors of Suicide Day is a day of healing for those who have lost someone to suicide. It was created by U.S. Senate resolution in 1999 through the efforts of Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who lost his father to suicide. Every year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention sponsors an event to provide an opportunity for the survivor community to come together for support, healing, information and empowerment.

Job Announcement Executive Director, Mental Health Association of Fauquier County

The MHAFC is seeking an experienced and dynamic leader for the position of Executive Director. MHAFC is a nonprofit private foundation which works to improve mental health by advocating for improved care and treatment of people with mental illnesses, conducting education programs, supporting prevention programs and raising public awareness. Candidates must possess community and public relations skills, volunteer management, fiscal accountability, and fund development. It is expected that candidates will have a background in mental health services, prevention and/or advocacy of mental health issues, and the ability to articulate the vision, mission and work of the association to the public.

The Executive Director is responsible for the over all management of the association and reports to the Board of Directors.

Qualifications include: Bachelor or Masters Degree in social work, psychology, or a related human services degree.

Candidates are encouraged to apply who are seeking a full or part time position.

Cover letters and resumes should be sent to:

Search Committee
Mental Health Association of Fauquier County
P. O. Box 3549
Warrenton, VA 21088

Additional information is available on the Association web site
www.Fauquier-mha.com

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Addition information about Virginia MHA Affiliates can be found HERE.

Capitol Hill Update: Advocates Win Victories on Medicaid, Public Health Fund

As Congress adjourned in early October to return to the campaign trail, advocates could look back at two hard-earned legislative victories: an extension of an enhanced rate of federal funding for Medicaid; and the defeat of an amendment that would have decimated the new health reform law's Prevention and Public Health Fund.

The drive to extend an increase in federal Medicaid matching funds has been a priority of our advocacy efforts because it provides a critical link to needed mental health services for millions of low-income Americans. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), enacted in February of 2009, included additional Medicaid funding for states by providing higher federal matching rates through the end of December 2010.

However, states are still facing decreased revenues and increased demand for health care assistance as wages have declined and high rates of unemployment continue. In addition, because many states' fiscal years begin in July, the increase was slated to end halfway through the 2011 cycle, leading many to consider cutting benefits and provider reimbursement rates.

To address this problem, an extension of the Medicaid funding increase through June of 2011 was included in legislation introduced in the House and Senate in May (the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010). Anticipating these funds would be available, a number of states have incorporated the increase in their 2011 budgets.

However, the legislation faced opposition because of concerns over its cost and the impact on the deficit.

After the legislation failed to win approval in the Senate on three different occasions, a bill including $16.1 billion in Medicaid funding passed that chamber on August 5. The House returned from its summer recess to approve the bill the following week and the President later signed it into law. Although the bill scaled back the original amount of funding to win needed votes, the aid will help ensure that states can continue providing vital behavioral health care services.

A second victory occurred in September when the Senate defeated by a vote of 46-52 an amendment offered by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) to a small business bill that would have gutted the new Prevention and Public Health Fund created under the health reform law. The Fund represents an unprecedented investment in much-needed preventive services, community level prevention and public health. It is urgently needed to address the many emerging health threats our country faces and the persistent chronic disease rates, including behavioral health conditions, which we must begin to control.

Congress is currently scheduled to return to work on November 15 for a lame duck session that could include consideration of a fiscal year 2011 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education spending bill. While neither the House nor Senate versions of that legislation are final, both include increases above the President's request for CMHS, SAMHSA and the National Institutes of Health. Your advocacy efforts are likely to be needed over the lame duck session to reject any efforts to strip away these proposed increases.

Health Care Law May Reduce MH Benefits in Medicaid

A Brief overview from an article in the most recent issue of Psychatric News

As millions more people become eligible for Medicaid coverage in 2014 as a result of the new health care legislation some vital services for mental health and substance abuse consumers may be excluded.

Parity legislation may not apply to the new Medicaid program because some coverage, care coordination and housing support for example, have no counterpart in non-mental health related coverage.

There are some possible solutions.

1. Sates could be bared from restricting coverage. However, this is not likely to happen because of financial strains on the states and the anticipated fiscally conservative character of the new Congress.

2. The definition of the Medicaid essential benefits package could alleviate the shortfall. Thus, the final interpretation of the parity provision is crucial.

CALL TO ACTION - Contact your Senator Webb and Warner’s office. Tell them the unique services for mental health and substance abuse consumers must be protected by including them in the final interpretation of parity requirements.

Warner, Mark R. - 459A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-2023 warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Contact

Webb, Jim - 248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-4024 webb.senate.gov/contact.cfm

October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

As a result of America’s difficult economic times domestic violence is on the increase. The short and long term impact on mental wellness is undeniable. Americans are struggling with many tough problems individually and as a society. We should all be aware that domestic Violence is one of those tough problems.

Safe Harbor Shelter provided the information below. For more information about domestic violence please go to Safe Harbor’s website at www.safeharborshelter.com

A National Call to Action: 10 X 10 Wellness Campaign

In a vital effort to increase the life expectancy for persons with mental health problems, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) launched a 10x10 Wellness Campaign to increase awareness of optimal health and wellness. Join the signers of the Wellness Pledge and advocate for increased awareness and understanding of improved health and well being. To learn more, go to http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/10by10/.

Advocates Win Big Victory as Senate Rejects Attempt to Gut Prevention and Public Health Fund

Mental health advocates won a big victory this week as the Senate defeated by a vote of 46-52 an amendment offered by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) to a small business bill that would have gutted the new Prevention and Public Health Fund. With this defeat, Mental Health America hopes the Fund now has a chance to reach its goal of expanding and sustaining investment in prevention and public health programs. The Fund, which was created as part of the Affordable Care Act, marks an historic investment Congress in much-needed preventive services, community level prevention and public health. The Fund is urgently needed to address the many emerging health threats our country faces and the persistent chronic disease rates, including behavioral health conditions, which we must begin to control.