DC Update
June 27, 2014
News from NASADAD
- NASADAD All States Policy Call scheduled for July 18th from 4-5 pm EST
- Update on 42 CFR Part 2
- NASADAD sends letters to President and Vice President in support of ONDCP Acting Director Botticelli to serve as permanent Director
Around the Agencies
- SAMHSA releases two publications to help clinicians address viral hepatitis
- CDC releases resources on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)
- CDC continues Tips from Former Smokers campaign with additional educational resources
- CMS announces $60 million in funding available to support Navigators in insurance marketplaces
- HHS announces auto-enrollment plans for current Marketplace consumers for 2015
- Government Accountability Office (GAO) releases report on tobacco product regulation
Capitol Hill News
- Mental Health Liaison Group and PhRMA sponsor Hill briefing on access to mental health treatment
Events
- White House hosts Men’s Health and My Brother’s Keeper briefing
- Faces and Voices of Recovery host America Honors Recovery reception
In the News
- The Washington Post publishes op-ed The Myths of Smoking Pot
News from NASADAD
NASADAD All States Policy Call scheduled for July 18th from 4-5 pm EST
The next NASADAD All States Policy Call will be held on Friday, July 18th from 4-5 pm EST (dial-in information below) and will feature a presentation by Mark Parrino, President of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD). Mr. Parrino will be discussing 42 CFR Part 2 among other issues. The All States Policy Calls will take place on the third Friday of each month from 4-5 pm EST, with the exception of the month of August. We wish everyone safe summer travels and will resume our regular call schedule in September.
NASADAD All States Policy Call Dial-In Information:
Toll Free: 1-855-747-8824
Passcode: 1287903424
[Alternative dial-in: 1-719-325-2630]Update on 42 CFR Part 2 – NASADAD did not send letter to SAMHSA
NASADAD will continue its discussions on 42 CFR Part 2. At this point, the Association has not sent any letters, but will continue to share updates and information with Members. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) held a public listening session on June 11th to solicit information on 42 CFR Part 2. SAMHSA also accepted written comments through June 25th. NASADAD discussed confidentiality issues during their Board Meeting at the NASADAD Annual Meeting in June and held an informational call on June 9th with the Legal Action Center. NASADAD Members noted the need for additional dialogue in the coming months. We will share any new information or documents from other organizations to help keep Members informed on any 42 CFR Part 2 developments.
NASADAD sends letters to President and Vice President in support of ONDCP Acting Director Botticelli to serve as permanent Director
On June 20th, NASADAD sent a letter to President Obama and Vice President Biden in support of nominating Michael Botticelli, Acting Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), to serve as the permanent Director. Acting Director Botticelli has been an exceptional ally on addiction issues, and NASADAD looks forward to his continued leadership.
Around the Agencies
SAMHSA releases two publications to help clinicians address viral hepatitis
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released two publications on viral hepatitis Addressing Viral Hepatitis in People with Substance Use Disorders, one for clinicians and one for clinicians and administrators. The documents provide an overview of the disease, as well as “information on screening, evaluation, treatment, side effects management, and potential interactions among medications used to treat chronic hepatitis” (SAMHSA press release). The resources also provide information about interactions with medications used to treat mental health and substance use disorders.
CDC releases resources on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a series of free materials that promote “alcohol-free pregnancies to women in your communities” (CDC web page). These materials cover a broad array of topics related to alcohol use during pregnancy, including information on risk factors, health consequences, and frequently asked questions. The research-based materials include a brochure, posters, print ads, health e-cards, and social media tools. These items are downloaded free-of-charge, with the option to order print copies from the CDC.
CDC continues Tips from Former Smokers campaign with additional educational resources
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the Tips from Former Smokers campaign in 2012. The campaign shares the stories of real individuals who are living with serious health problems due to smoking. The newest advertisements (radio, print, TV, posters, social media, etc.) will feature stories about cancer, stroke, pregnancy complications, and others. The ads remind viewers that there is a hotline available for people who want help to quit smoking. There are also a variety of other educational resources made available on the CDC website, including faith-based resources (Legacy Foundation update).
CMS announces $60 million in funding available to support Navigators in insurance marketplaces
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is accepting letters of intent through June 30th to apply for funding to support Navigators in insurance marketplaces (both State- and federally-facilitated). “The funding opportunity announcement is open to eligible individuals, as well as private and public entities, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations applying to serve as Navigators in States with a federally-facilitated or State partnership marketplace. It is open to new and returning Navigator applicants” (CMS press release). The Navigator application closes on July 10th. CMS is also hosting a pre-application webinar on July 1st from 1:30-3:00 pm EST.
HHS announces auto-enrollment plans for current Marketplace consumers for 2015
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to provide assistance to insurance marketplace consumers and offer them a simple way to auto-enroll in their existing plan each year, rather going through the enrollment process in 2015. This option would be available to those that would like to keep their existing plan, while those who want to make changes will be free to do so. Under the plan, consumers will receive a notice on how to update their income information for tax credit purposes and will receive information from their insurer about premiums and any other relevant payment information.
Government Accountability Office (GAO) releases report on tobacco product regulation
The report, Tobacco Product Regulation: Most FDA Spending Funded Public Education, Regulatory Science, and Compliance and Enforcement Activities, was released on June 20th. Required by the Tobacco Control Act, the report “examines (1) how FDA spent tobacco user fees for key activities using its authorities granted in the act, and (2) any challenges FDA encountered in using its authorities” (GAO highlights). Of the $1.88 billion in tobacco user fees the FDA has collected since 2009, $1.48 have been spent on various activities. Activities include public education ($508 million), regulatory science ($478 million), and compliance and enforcement ($181 million).
Capitol Hill News
Mental Health Liaison Group and PhRMA sponsor Hill briefing on access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment
Colleen Haller, NASADAD Public Policy Associate attended the briefing, titled Mental Health: Partnering for Access and Treatments for Patients and co-hosted by Representatives Leonard Lance (NJ) and Doris Matsui (CA). The information session included information on the needs of patients living with mental illness and substance use disorders and developments made in research and emerging treatments, particularly pharmacological advances. The panelists offered a broad range of perspectives from pharmaceutical research to community substance abuse and mental health providers to a patient’s perspective (please see the complete list below). The panelists cited a need to expand public and private research partnerships, as well as remove barriers to accessing comprehensive treatment.
Panelists:
- Moderator – Dr. Bill Chin, Executive Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, PhRMA
- Chuck Ingoglia, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Practice Improvement, National Council for Behavioral Health and Co-Chair of the Mental Health Liaison Group
- Stevin Zorn, PhD, Executive Vice President and U.S. Site Head, Neuroscience Research and Development, Lundbeck Research USA
- Dr. Dario Mirski, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Events
White House hosts Men’s Health and My Brother’s Keeper briefing
Rob Morrison, NASADAD Executive Director attended the briefing which was co-hosted by the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and included information on a range of topics related to men’s health. The briefing included four sessions: Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Disease Prevention: Heart and Stroke, Diabetes, and Cancer; Engaging Young Men of Color in their Health; and My Brother’s Keeper: The Road Ahead. Dr. H. Westley Clark, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, served as a speaker and moderated the breakout session on substance abuse and mental illness. A complete list of speakers is included below.
Speakers:
- Marlon Marshall, Special Assistant to the President, Principal Deputy Director of Public Engagement
- Dr. Samuel Acre, Chairman of the National Hispanic Medical Association
- Gautam Raghavan, Public Engagement Advisor, Office of Public Engagement
- Marco Davis, Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Education Excellence for Hispanics
- Dr. H. Westley Clark, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Dr. George Askew, Chief Medical Officer for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Dr. Ananad Parekh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Jesse Moore, Speechwriter, Office of Public Engagement
- Heather Foster, Public Engagement Advisor, Office of Public Engagement
Faces and Voices of Recovery host America Honors Recovery reception
Rob Morrison, NASADAD Executive Director attended the reception which honors the recovery community and exceptional organizations that advocate for recovery. The reception, hosted by Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR), was held in Washington, D.C. on June 25th, and awards were presented to 5 individuals and one recovery organization for “their significant contributions toward putting a face on recovery, fighting discrimination facing people with addiction, and advocating for recovery” (FAVOR press release).
In the News
The Washington Post publishes op-ed The Myths of Smoking Pot
Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus wrote the op-ed, featuring an interview with Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Dr. Volkow provided an overview of the research on marijuana use and important considerations and cautions related to efforts to legalize the drug for personal use. Dr. Volkow also discusses her particular concerns with adolescents and the effects of marijuana use during adolescent development. In addition to the health effects, Dr. Volkow also expressed concern about the impact of legalization on social norms and perceptions of risk, both of which have significant effects on youth and adolescent behavior.