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:

• Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant Fact Sheet (Feb 2015)
• Alcohol Fact Sheet (Feb 2015)
• Cocaine Fact Sheet (Feb 2015)
• Opioid Fact Sheet (Feb 2015)
• Marijuana Fact Sheet (Dec 2014)

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 4^th. 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 1^st, 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 1^st. 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 19^th
SAMHSA has announced the “Bridging the Divide: Improving Transitions of Care to Reduce Hospital Readmissions” webinar to be held Thursday, March 19^th 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.

News from NASADAD

• NASADAD releases fact sheet on alcohol
• NASADAD releases fact sheet on cocaine
• NASADAD attends congressional briefing on the NIH grant process

Around the Agencies

• SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Targeted Capacity Expansion: Medication Assisted Treatment – Prescription Drug and Opioid grants
• HHS Secretary Burwell Testifies before Congress
• SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Campus Suicide Prevention grants
• SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Capacity Building Initiative for Substance Abuse (SA) and HIV Prevention Services for At-Risk Racial/Ethnic Minority Youth and Young Adults grants
• CMS announces successful end-to-end ICD-10 testing

In the News

• Small States struggle to fund healthcare exchanges
• Republicans release legislation proposing to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program

News from NASADAD

NASADAD releases fact sheet on alcohol
NASADAD announced the release of the fact sheet on Friday, February 27^th. The fact sheet provides information on national trends in alcohol use and admissions to treatment, as well as the public health impacts of alcohol use, particularly on youth and adolescents. Alcohol is by far the most used drug with more than 136.9 million Americans reporting that they currently use alcohol according to data from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Roughly 16.5 million Americans report heavy alcohol use. The fact sheet also provides information about State substance abuse agencies and their efforts to fund evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives on alcohol use and substance abuse generally. NASADAD utilized data and research findings from a variety of sources including the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the Monitoring the Future survey, the Treatment Episode Dataset (TEDS), and a variety of resources from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

NASADAD releases fact sheet on cocaine
NASADAD announced the release of the fact sheet on Friday, February 27^th. The fact sheet provides information on national trends in cocaine use and admissions to treatment, as well as the health impacts of cocaine use. Roughly 1.5 million Americans report past month use of cocaine according to data from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). More than half of those individuals were between the ages of 18 and 34. The fact sheet also provides information about past prevention efforts surrounding cocaine use and information about State substance abuse agencies and their efforts to fund evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. NASADAD utilized data and research findings from a variety of sources including the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the Monitoring the Future survey, the Treatment Episode Dataset (TEDS), and a variety of resources from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

NASADAD attends congressional briefing on the NIH grant process
The briefing was sponsored by the Coalition to Promote Research (CPR), a group of medical organizations including the American Psychological Association, American Cancer Society Action Network, and the Association of American Medical Colleges, and was attended by Brian Denten, Public Policy Intern. The briefing discussed the National Institute of Health (NIH)’s process for awarding grant money. Speakers noted the importance of continued investment in medical research, and suggested that NIH requires increased federal funding. NIH receives $30 billion in federal funding annually, and falls under discretionary spending. NIH has not received an increase in appropriations since 2003.

Presenters:

• Howard Kurtzman, PhD; American Psychological Association
• Keith Yamamoto, PhD; University of California – San Francisco

Around the Agencies

SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Targeted Capacity Expansion: Medication Assisted Treatment – Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction grants
SAMHSA is now accepting applications for FY 2015 Targeted Capacity Expansion: Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) – Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction grants. This program provides funding to States for the enhancement of treatment service capacity. SAMHSA’s primary goals for this program include increasing the number of people receiving treatment services in combination with FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for opioid use disorders, increasing the number of people receiving integrated care, and decreasing total illicit drug use within 6 months. Applications are due by Friday, May 8, 2015. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated amount of up to $1,000,000.

HHS Secretary Burwell testifies before Congress
Sylvia Matthews Burwell, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health to discuss the President’s HHS budget proposal for fiscal year 2016. Secretary Burwell touched on a number of the President’s priorities, but made special mention of the budget’s inclusion of $99 million for activities related to the opioid epidemic. This includes funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and others. SAMHSA proposals include an additional $13 million for the Targeted Capacity Expansion grant created in last year’s budget that provides grants to States to expand opioid treatment capacity where medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an allowable use; a new $12 million grant program to reverse opioid overdose, including purchasing naloxone; and $10 million for the Strategic Prevention Framework for Prescription Drugs (SPF-Rx) program.

SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Campus Suicide Prevention grants
SAMHSA is now accepting applications for FY 2015 Campus Suicide Prevention grants. Grant funds should be used to help colleges and universities expand capacity and infrastructure to help students suffering from mental illness. Programs supported by grant money include mental health promotion, suicide prevention, and substance abuse prevention. Applications are due by Monday, April 20, 2015. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated amount of up to $102,000.

SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Capacity Building Initiative for Substance Abuse (SA) and HIV Prevention Services for At-Risk Racial/Ethnic Minority Youth and Young Adults grants
SAMHSA is now accepting applications for FY 2015 Capacity Building Initiative (CBI) for Substance Abuse (SA) and HIV Prevention Services for At-Risk Racial/Ethnic Minority Youth and Young Adults grants. This program assists States in building a foundation for delivering quality and accessible HIV prevention services. Grantees must combine education and awareness programs, social marketing campaigns, and HIV and viral hepatitis (VH) testing services. Applications are due by Thursday, April 23, 2015. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated amount of up to $300,000.

CMS announces successful end-to-end ICD-10 testing
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the successful testing of ICD-10 claim submission this past week. ICD-10 diagnosis and procedure codes will be required with all Medicare and other health claims beginning October 1^st. Around 660 health care providers submitted about 15,000 test claims. The majority of claims were accepted. Rejected claims were attributed to errors unrelated to ICD-10 form submission. Two more testing periods will be conducted before October 1^st.

In the News

Small States struggle to fund healthcare exchanges
Smaller States such as Hawaii and Rhode Island are struggling to fund their healthcare exchanges, as Governing.com reported last week. Beginning this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) prohibits the use of federal funds for State exchanges. States initially relied on these funds to develop their exchanges, and are now struggling to find new sources of revenue. Smaller States receive less tax revenue than larger States despite having similar fixed costs, making their exchanges difficult to fund.

Republicans release legislation proposing to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program
Congressional Republicans released a discussion draft of legislation to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA), full Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) worked on the legislation. In addition to extending CHIP funding, the proposal maintains the current formula for allotting CHIP funds to States; and eliminates the 23% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage increase scheduled for 2016.

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.

News from NASADAD

• NASADAD submits comments on NIDA FY 2016-2020 Strategic Plan

Around the Agencies

• SAMHSA extends deadline for public comment on community behavioral health clinic criteria to February 18^th
• SAMHSA accepting applications for FY 2015 Drug-Free Communities Mentoring Program grants
• SAMHSA releases new FASD in Review commenting on recent prenatal alcohol exposure research
• GAO releases report on prenatal opioid abuse treatment gaps
• NCCIH working group recommends large-scale research into pain management
• NHTSA study finds declining rates of drunk driving, rising rates of drug-impaired driving
• HHS releases data on advance premium tax credit qualifications

In the News

• Kaiser Health News speaks with CASAColumbia director about The Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 implementation

Upcoming Events

• NAADAC launches SBIRT webinar series beginning February 18th
• NSC announces workplace substance abuse webinar to be held February 19th
• SAMHSA announces federal income tax webinar to be held February 25th
• SAMHSA announces health insurance webinar to be held March 5th
• SAMHSA announces special enrollment period webinar to be held March 12th

News from NASADAD

NASADAD submits comments on NIDA FY 2016-2020 Strategic Plan
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) released a request for information to seek public input for a revised strategic plan that provides a research framework for the next five years. After reviewing the strategic plan and receiving comments from members, NASADAD’s letter was approved by NASADAD’s Public Policy Committee and submitted on January 30^th. The letter focuses on a number of key areas: evaluating evidence-based practices, monitoring emerging trends, office-based opioid treatment, recovery supports, and the role of residential services.

Around the Agencies

SAMHSA extends deadline for public comment on community behavioral health clinic criteria to February 18^th
SAMHSA is seeking public comment on criteria for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). CCBHCs are a demonstration project passed in March 2014 as part of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014. The Act authorized the establishment of community mental health and substance use disorder clinics similar to the federally qualified health center (FQHC) model. The criteria identify requirements for staffing, accessibility of services, scope of services, and much more. The deadline for comments has been extended to Wednesday, February 18^th.

SAMHSA accepting applications for FY 2015 Cooperative Agreement to Benefit Homeless Individuals for States-Enhancement grants
SAMHSA is now accepting applications for FY 2015 Cooperative Agreements to Benefit Homeless Individuals for States-Enhancement grants. Funds should be used to expand the scope of the project funded by the original grant. Expansion will help increase the availability of accessible and affordable treatment services to individuals and veterans suffering from chronic homelessness and substance abuse disorders. Applications are due by Thursday, April 9, 2015. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated award of up to $1.8 million.

SAMHSA accepting applications for FY 2015 Drug-Free Communities Mentoring Program grants
SAMHSA is now accepting applications for FY 2015 Drug-Free Communities Mentoring Program grants. The primary goal of the mentoring program is to assist new coalitions in establishing eligibility for Drug-Free Community funding. Applications are due by Tuesday, April 14, 2015. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated award of up to $75,000.

SAMHSA releases new FASD in Review commenting on recent prenatal alcohol exposure research
SAMHSA released a new FASD in Review this week commenting on a recent article in Annals of Epidemiology. The study conducted in the article suggests low-to-moderate alcohol exposure during early and late gestation is not associated with low birth weight and other negative birth defects. While some media sources have interpreted the study to mean limited alcohol consumption during pregnancy is safe, SAMHSA and other public health policy officials continue to stress that no alcohol consumption during pregnancy is safe.

GAO releases report on prenatal opioid abuse treatment gaps
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on gaps in prenatal opioid abuse treatment and research programs this week. The report finds that inadequate treatment options exist for pregnant women and newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to stigmatization and criminalization of pregnant drug users, as well as a lack of guidance on screening and treatment practices for pregnant women. Research is difficult to conduct due to problems with identifying and retaining pregnant women to study, in addition to prenatal opioid use and NAS not being high priority research areas. The report concludes that HHS lacks a focal point to lead planning on efforts related specifically to prenatal opioid abuse.

NCCIH working group recommends large-scale research into pain management
A working group at The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has concluded that large-scale research into pain management is necessary. The working group states that the prevalence of chronic pain in the general public and the military requires new treatment methods. NCCIH recommends that research should evaluate nondrug treatment options, focus on patients in the early stages of chronic pain, and assess the impact of pain on patient quality of life.

NHTSA study finds declining rates of drunk driving, rising rates of drug-impaired driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released two studies this month finding fewer Americans driving drunk, but more driving under the influence of marijuana and other illegal drugs. From 2012 to 2013, deaths in alcohol-related accidents decreased by 2.5 percent. Deaths from alcohol-related car accidents have declined by 23 percent in the last 10 years. During 2013-2014, 22.5% of nighttime weekend drivers tested positive for illegal drugs – a 38 percent increase from 2007.

HHS releases data on advance premium tax credit qualifications
HHS released a report discussing advance premium tax credits throughout the States this week. According to the report, 6.5 million people have qualified for an advance premium tax credit to purchase health insurance through HealthCare.gov during 2015 open enrollment; representing 87% of people enrolled or re-enrolled in the 37 states using Healthcare.gov. The American Hospital Association (AHA) reports that, “Those subsidies are expected to reduce premiums for enrollees by more than $1 billion a month, or $268 per person on average, based on plan selections and re-enrollments as of Jan. 30, HHS said. About 53% of people selected or re-enrolled in a plan with a net premium of $100 or less after the advance premium tax credit. Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace runs through Feb. 15.”

In the News

Kaiser Health News speaks with CASAColumbia director about The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 implementation
Kaiser Health News spoke with Emily Feinstein, CASAColumbia director, this past week about The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act of 2008 implementation as well as the importance of expanding mental health and substance use disorder coverage in Medicaid managed care plans. Implementation has been slow, and it is still unclear how the law will affect Medicaid plans that include medical, substance abuse, and mental health benefits. The interview discusses the positive impact parity implementation will have on treatment of substance use disorders.

Upcoming Events

NAADAC launches SBIRT webinar series beginning February 18^th
The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) has announced a new Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) webinar series to begin on February 18^th, 2015. The series is hosted by NAADAC and its partners (NORC at the University of Chicago, National SBIRT ATTC, The BIG Initiative, and SAMHSA), and will discuss current issues facing the addiction professional world. Held once a month, the webinar series will conclude on August 19^th, 2015.

Please contact Misti Storie at misti@naadac.org for more information.

SAMHSA announces federal income tax webinar to be held February 25^th
SAMHSA has announced a new webinar focusing on the 2015 tax season. Basic information about what consumers need to know about their health care when filing taxes, including the penalty for not having health insurance, will be covered.

SAMHSA announces health insurance webinar to be held March 5^th
SAMHSA has announced a new webinar discussing best practices for using health insurance. Topics include reading your insurance card, finding a doctor, making an appointment, and what to do in a health emergency. From Coverage to Care materials created by CMS will also be covered during the presentation.

SAMHSA announces special enrollment period webinar to be held March 12^th
SAMHSA has announced a new webinar focusing on special enrollment periods for those with special circumstances. These circumstances may include graduating from college, getting married and needing coverage for a spouse, losing employer health insurance, or turning 26 and losing a parent’s coverage. Resources and instructions for individuals with these special circumstances will 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.