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
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.
Legislation introduced in the Senate by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), The Health Information Technology Extension for Behavioral Health Services Act of 2010 (S. 3709), would extend financial incentives for adopting health information technology including electronic health records to mental health and addiction treatment providers and facilities. Establishing an interoperable system of electronic health information is critical to encouraging greater care coordination among mental health, primary and other health care providers as well as increased engagement of consumers in managing their own care. Both of these goals are key to improving treatment outcomes and overall health.
By extending financial incentives to behavioral health providers and facilities, S. 3709 would enable behavioral health providers and facilities to engage in the electronic exchange of health information and improve the health and safety of individuals in need of behavioral health services.
It is critical that you tell your Senators to cosponsor S. 3709. In order to improve care coordination and overall quality of care, mental health and addiction treatment providers must be encouraged to implement HIT and engage in the appropriate, privacy-protected exchange of electronic health information.
We urge you to contact your Senators TODAY and tell them to oppose all attempts to use the Prevention and Public Health Fund (Fund) as an offset, including an amendment that is expected to be offered as early as Tuesday, September 14, by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) to the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act.
The creation this year of the Fund as part of the Affordable Care Act marked 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.
But this critical funding is in jeopardy even before it has a chance to reach its goal of expanding and sustaining investment in prevention and public health programs.
Sen. Johanns’ amendment would use the Fund as an offset to the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act, which the Senate will consider tomorrow. If passed, the amendment would eliminate the Fund and mark a severe blow to efforts to transform our health system and promote healthier lives.
It is critical that you tell your Senator to protect this investment in public health and VOTE NO on JOHANNS AMENDMENT!
