CapitolHill, Public View

D.C. Update – March 17, 2015

News from NASADAD

  • NASADAD updates section-by-section analysis of Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015
  • NASADAD launches new, user-friendly website
  • NASADAD sends comments to SAMHSA on Proposed 2016/17 SAPT Block Grant Application

Around the Agencies

  • SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 “Now is the Time” Project AWARE – Community grants
  • NHTSA survey reports increased rates of drugged driving
  • CMS launches new network for value-based payment models

In the News

  • Maryland Governor Hogan (R) forms emergency task force in response to heroin epidemic
  • Washington, DC marijuana legalization goes into effect

Upcoming Events

  • SAMHSA announces transitions of care webinar to be held Thursday, March 19th

News from NASADAD

NASADAD updates section-by-section analysis of Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015
The bill, the “Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 (S. 524/H.R. 953),” was introduced in February by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in the Senate and by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) in the House. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Al Franken (D-MN), and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) co-sponsored the legislation in the Senate and Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Tom Marino (R-PA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), David Joyce (R-OH), Frank Guinta (R-NH), and John Sarbanes (D-MD) in the House. The bill includes key initiatives related to prevention, treatment, recovery, criminal justice, and fatal overdose prevention. The provisions address important topics including prescribing best practices; treatment alternatives to incarceration; medication-assisted treatment; recovery services for youth and recovery communities; population-specific initiatives that focus on pregnant and parenting women, families, veterans, and individuals involved in the criminal justice system; and other comprehensive approaches to reducing opioid misuse. Read the full section-by-section analysis here.

NASADAD launches new, more user-friendly website
NASADAD has launched a new version of its website, seeking to make the resource more user friendly.  Recently, the Association has generated a number of Fact Sheets and policy briefs on a range of issues that will be housed on the site.  Some examples include:

NASADAD will continue to generate additional products and news that shall be featured on the web page.  If there are comments or questions about the web page, please contact NASADAD.

NASADAD sends comments to SAMHSA on Proposed 2016/17 SAPT Block Grant Application
NASADAD sent the comments to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on Wednesday, March 4th. The comments come in response to SAMHSA’s request for comment on their proposed 2016/2017 Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant application.

Around the Agencies

SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 “Now is the Time” Project AWARE – Community grants
SAMHSA is now accepting applications for FY 2015 “Now is the Time” Project AWARE – Community (NITT-AWARE-C) grants. This program provides funding to train teachers and other individuals that interact with youth through Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) or Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) programs. This grant program seeks to increase knowledge about mental health among policy makers and administrators. More than 20 percent of children are estimated to experience serious mental disorders at some point in their life. Applications are due by Friday, May 1st, 2015. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated amount of up to $125,000 per year for up to 3 years.

NHTSA survey reports increased rates of drugged driving
A recent survey from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found growing rates of drugged driving across the United States. While the percentage of drunk drivers has declined almost one-third since 2007, the 2014 survey found that about one-in-four of both weekday and weekend drivers tested positive for at least one drug (illicit or medication) that impairs driving safety. Weekend nighttime drivers with drugs in their system rose from 16.3 percent in 2007 to 20 percent in 2014. The amount of drivers with marijuana found in their system grew by almost 50 percent between 2007 and 2014.

CMS launches new network for value-based payment models
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network this past week. This network will provide a forum for public-private partnerships to meet and exceed Medicare goals to increase value-based and alternative payment models. Payers, providers, employers, purchasers, and state partners are invited to register for the network to begin reporting on progress towards alternative payment models.

In the News

Maryland Governor Hogan (R) forms emergency task force in response to heroin epidemic
Governor Hogan of Maryland announced new plans to combat rising heroin deaths this past week. The governor will form a new emergency task force and “coordinating council” of State officials to provide recommendations before December 1st. Governor Hogan’s cousin recently passed away from a heroin overdose, compelling Maryland to seek new alternatives for substance use disorder programs. Hogan acknowledges substance use disorders as a disease, and continues to stress the importance of balancing law enforcement and treatment services when dealing with individuals struggling with substance abuse. Kaleo, a Richmond-based pharmaceutical company, recently donated 10,000 doses of naloxone, a medication to reverse heroin or opioid overdoses to Maryland. Kaleo is the maker of “Evzio,” a naloxone auto-injector. Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford has been put in charge of the heroin response effort.

Washington, D.C. marijuana legalization goes into effect
Marijuana was legalized in Washington D.C. last Thursday, February 26 at 12:01 a.m., despite warnings from Republican Congressional leaders. Washington D.C. passed Initiative 71 last November as a ballot initiative, legalizing marijuana for adults over the age of 21. Congress blocked the city from setting up a regulation and sales system similar to Colorado and Washington State, fearing an abundance of marijuana in the Capitol. Initiative 71 allows for adults to consume and grow marijuana in their own homes, but still prohibits individuals from purchasing, selling, or consuming the drug in public. D.C. residents will be able to possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow up to three plants. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has moved to outlaw “cannabis clubs” and restaurants to prevent a “gray market” for marijuana.

Upcoming Events

SAMHSA announces transitions of care webinar to be held Thursday, March 19th
SAMHSA has announced the “Bridging the Divide: Improving Transitions of Care to Reduce Hospital Readmissions” webinar to be held Thursday, March 19th at 2:00-3:30 PM ET. The webinar will cover new transition care models, initiatives, and payment incentives to facilitate increased communication between inpatient and outpatient healthcare providers. Tips for better management of treatment planning, in addition to methods of discussing care management with family members, will also be discussed.

Should you have any questions, or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Robert Morrison, Executive Director, (202) 293-0090 or Colleen Haller, Public Policy Associate, at (202) 293-0090.