{"id":11003,"date":"2015-07-28T17:52:53","date_gmt":"2015-07-28T17:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nasadad.wpengine.com\/?p=11003"},"modified":"2015-07-28T17:55:45","modified_gmt":"2015-07-28T17:55:45","slug":"d-c-update-july-24-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nasadad.org\/2015\/07\/d-c-update-july-24-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"D.C. Update – July 24, 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"
News from NASADAD Around the Agencies<\/strong><\/p>\n In the News<\/strong><\/p>\n News from NASADAD NASADAD delivers President\u2019s Award to Bob Glover, Executive Director of National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) NASADAD attends Capitol Hill briefing on benefits of prevention To learn more about the Legacy Institute, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n To learn more about the Cancer Action Network, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n To learn more about the Trust for America\u2019s Health (TFAH), click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n To learn more about the National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC), click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n NASADAD attends Capitol Hill briefing on hepatitis prevention and treatment The briefing heard from several advocates representing each minority group, reinforcing the need for a comprehensive strategy for reducing the spread of hepatitis among minority populations. From 2010-2013, diagnoses of acute hepatitis C rose over 150% as a result of injection drug use among white and adolescent populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently developing two projects to address the rise of hepatitis C among this group. Pending legislation such as The Viral Hepatitis Testing Act would authorize more than $80 million over three years to \u201ccreate the first comprehensive national system to combat viral hepatitis, in addition to enhancing and strengthening surveillance, education, testing, and linkage to care for at-risk Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n Speakers:<\/strong><\/p>\n To learn more about activities moving forward on Hep C by our sister Association, the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, visit here<\/a>.<\/p>\n NASADAD attends Capitol Hill briefing on criminal justice reform<\/strong><\/p>\n The briefing, held on Thursday, July 23, was attended by Brian Denten, Public Policy Intern. The briefing was hosted by the American Conservative Foundation, the American Coalition for Criminal Justice Reform, and Families Against Mandatory Minimums. Several speakers and formerly incarcerated individuals spoke about the need for broad structural reform of mandatory minimum sentencing laws and the creation of programs within prisons to reduce recidivism. Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) opened the briefing with a discussion of how the federal prison population has risen substantially in recent decades despite an overall decrease in crime rates. Rep. Sensenbrenner stated that the current criminal justice system lacks the ability to rehabilitate non-violent offenders, leading to high rates of recidivism throughout the country.<\/p>\n Speakers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Around the Agencies<\/strong><\/p>\n New GAO study finds 17 percent of low-income, uninsured adults have mental health or substance use disorders Carlos Blanco appointed to lead NIDA\u2019s Division of Epidemiology, Services, and Prevention Research In the News<\/strong><\/p>\n NAMSDL releases new reports on medicinal and legal marijuana legislation Washington, D.C. plans new campaign to fight underage drinking Faces & Voices of Recovery announce the addition of H. Westley Clark, Jan Brown, Stacia Murphy, and Sis Wenger to Board of Directors<\/strong><\/p>\n Faces & Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) has announced the addition of four new members to the foundation\u2019s Board of Directors: H. Westley Clark, Jan Brown, Stacia Murphy, and Sis Wenger.<\/p>\n House Energy and Commerce Committee approves PDMP authorization bill with language to help promote collaboration with State substance abuse agencies Coordination with NASADAD members<\/u><\/em>:\u00a0The NASPER Reauthorization Act of 2015, under Section (h), the \u201cEducation and Access to the Monitoring Section,\u201d requires States receiving NASPER funding to \u201c\u2026facilitate linkage to the State substance abuse agency and substance use disorder services.\u201d\u00a0Additional language regarding State substance abuse agencies is included in a section requiring the release of a federal report not later than three years after federal funds are first appropriated under NASPER.\u00a0This report, among other issues, must include an analysis of the \u201c\u2026extent to which the operation of controlled substance monitoring programs have reduced inappropriate use, abuse, or diversion of controlled substances, established or strengthened initiatives to ensure linkages to substance use disorder services,\u201d and other matters.<\/p>\n Opening statements note importance of addressing opioid issue<\/u>:\u00a0In opening statements, a number of Subcommittee members commented on the impact of the opioid issue in their districts.\u00a0Rep. Whitfield, for example, noted how work to reauthorize NASPER has been moving forward for a number of years.\u00a0 He also noted that other programs that help support PDMPs are housed in the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He expressed his hope that work could be done to help coordinate these efforts.\u00a0Representatives Upton, Pallone, and Pitts echoed their own concerns with the opioid issue and the need for action.\u00a0Rep. Kennedy dedicated his time to telling a story that seems representative of thousands of others across the country where the use of opioid pain relievers leads to addiction, overdose, and ultimately death.<\/p>\n House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Committee considers and approves H.R. 1462, the Protecting Our Infants Act View a NASADAD two pager on the Protecting Our Infants act here<\/a>.<\/p>\n View a NASADAD two pager on NAS here<\/a>.<\/p>\n View NASADAD’s statement on the Use of Medications for substance use disorders here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Next Steps for Both Bills Additional Resources <\/strong><\/p>\n To see the Committee\u2019s background memo on the bills, please visit here<\/a>.<\/p>\n To see the opening statement by Rep. Pitts, please visit here<\/a>.<\/p>\n To see the opening statement by Rep. Upton, please visit here<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" News from NASADAD NASADAD delivers President\u2019s Award to Bob Glover, Executive Director of National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) NASADAD attends Capitol Hill briefing on benefits of prevention NASADAD attends Capitol Hill briefing on hepatitis prevention and treatment NASADAD attends Capitol Hill briefing on criminal justice reform Around the Agencies New GAO … Continue reading D.C. Update – July 24, 2015<\/span>
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\n<\/strong>On Friday, July 17, NASADAD Executive Director Robert Morrison (pictured on the right) presented Bob Glover (left) with an award for his decades of service to State Mental Health Authorities in particular, and the public mental health service system in general, as Executive Director of NASMHPD.\u00a0Dr. Glover has served NASMHPD as Executive Director since 1993.\u00a0In addition, Dr. Glover led State mental health service delivery systems in States such as Maine, Colorado, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.\u00a0Mark Stringer, State Director of Missouri and past-President of NASADAD, chose to honor Glover before stepping aside as Board Chair in June 2015.\u00a0The award was announced during NASADAD\u2019s Annual Meeting held in Charleston, South Carolina.\u00a0After presenting the award, Robert Morrison then met with Dr. Glover and Brian Hepburn, MD, the new Executive Director of NASMHPD, to share priorities and talk about continued collaboration of the two Associations.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>On Thursday, July 16, Robert Morrison, Executive Director attended a Capitol Hill briefing sponsored by the National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC) titled \u201cBending the Health Care Cost Curve: The Role of Investments in Prevention.\u201d\u00a0The speakers included David Dobbins, Chief Operating Officer, the Legacy Institute; Rich Hamburg, Deputy Director, Trust for America\u2019s Health (TFAH); and Chris Hansen, President, American Cancer Society\u2019s Cancer Action Network.\u00a0The speakers outlined issues from their organizations\u2019 particular perspectives with an emphasis on prevention and cancer in particular.\u00a0Rich Hamburg of TFAH discussed recent actions taken by his organization, including an initiative that examines obesity in the United States.\u00a0As many NASADAD members recall, TFAH has dedicated many resources to addressing the opioid issue as well.\u00a0For example, in 2013, TFAH issued Prescription Drug Abuse: Strategies to Stop the Epidemic<\/a><\/em> that included a number of NASADAD-supported recommendations \u2013 including the benefits of investing in substance use disorder treatment, prevention, and recovery services.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>On Tuesday, July 21, Brian Denten, Public Policy Intern, attended a Congressional briefing on hepatitis prevention and treatment hosted by the Hepatitis Foundation International. The briefing focused on the prevalence of hepatitis throughout the United States and the disparities in diagnosis and treatment within minority populations. Hepatitis currently affects more than 5.3 million Americans, yet 3 in 4 with viral hepatitis do not know they are infected. Viral hepatitis and its variations disproportionately affect African-American, Latino, and Asian-American communities compared to the general population; with 3 percent of African-Americans and 2.6 percent of Latinos having hepatitis C compared to the national average of 1.5 percent, and Asian-Americans accounting for more than half of the country\u2019s chronic hepatitis B population despite making up less than 5 percent of the total U.S. population.<\/p>\n\n
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\n<\/strong>The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report<\/a> this week examining the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders among low-income and uninsured adults. Using data from 2008-2013, the study found that \u201capproximately 17 percent of low-income, uninsured adults (3 million) had a behavioral health condition, defined as a serious mental illness, a substance use condition, or both.\u201d The GAO notes that the frequency of each respective condition varies substantially at the State level \u2013 with Indiana, Wisconsin, Idaho, Ohio, and North Dakota having the highest rates of serious mental illness, and Rhode Island, Alaska, Ohio, Indiana, and North Dakota having the highest rates of substance use disorders among the low-income, uninsured adult population.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Carlos Blanco, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed <\/a>to lead the National Institute on Drug Abuse\u2019s (NIDA) Division of Epidemiology, Services, and Prevention Research. This division concentrates on improving public health through the support of research investigating the patterns and effects of substance use disorders, in addition to advocating for evidence-based treatment practices. Dr. Blanco currently works as a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center, and is nationally recognized as an expert in treating co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. His past notable research accomplishments include an extensive examination of the different stages of substance use disorders, the development of research methods to improve clinical trials, and the testing of various evidence-based treatment theories. Dr. Blanco\u2019s research recently found that individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder are not at increased risk of developing a new substance use disorder for a different drug.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL) released a series of new reports on medicinal, legal, and illegal marijuana legislation. The reports <\/a>summarize ongoing and future efforts to regulate both the medical marijuana and legal marijuana industries at the State level. Four reports are available, summarizing legislation dealing with: medicinal use of marijuana<\/a> (including low-THC \/ high cannabinoid products), \u201cfollow-up\u201d<\/a> legislation in States that have legalized the personal usage of marijuana (Alaska, Colorado, D.C., Oregon, and Washington), the usage of marijuana in States with ongoing legalization efforts, and legislative efforts to decriminalize or lower penalties for illicit, personal non-medical use.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a new campaign<\/a> to fight underage drinking this past week. The campaign, titled \u201cThere\u2019s a Reason,\u201d will be coordinated by the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health using federally provided funding. A 2012 D.C. Department of Health study examining underage drinking found that nearly a quarter of D.C. youth consume alcohol before age 13, and that 6 percent of boys 11 or younger have tried alcohol. The survey also found that alcohol is more commonly used within D.C.\u2019s middle schools than marijuana and other illicit substances; with approximately 31 percent of adolescents entering high school stating they drank an alcoholic beverage in the past month.\u00a0 The campaign plans to target parents through educational pamphlets and additional outreach activities, and will primarily focus on people under the age of 18 rather than D.C.\u2019s large college student population.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/strong>On Thursday July 23, the House Energy and Commerce Committee considered and approved H.R. 1725, the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting (NASPER) Reauthorization Act of 2015.\u00a0The author of the bill is Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and co-sponsors include Representatives Kennedy (D-MA), Buscon (R-IN), and Pallone (D-N.J.).\u00a0The Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health is Joe Pitts (R-PA) and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee is Gene Green (D-TX).\u00a0The bill seeks to continue the momentum gained by States on issues related to data interoperability by requiring applicants for NASPER funds to include certain information in their application.\u00a0For example, H.R. 1725 requires applicants to report the extent to which the PDMP program is able to share information with other health IT systems such as e-prescribing systems, health information exchanges, and electronic health records systems.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>On Thursday, July 23, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health considered and approved H.R. 1426, the Protecting Our Infants Act authored by Representatives Katherine Clark (D-MA) and Steve Stivers (R-OH).\u00a0The author in the Senate is Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).\u00a0The bill would authorize the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to conduct a study and develop recommendations for preventing and treating\u00a0prenatal opioid abuse and NAS.\u00a0The bill would also authorize the Secretary of HHS to lead a review of planning and coordination efforts across HHS.\u00a0Finally, the legislation would require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to offer technical assistance to States to improve the availability and quality of data related to NAS.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The full Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to consider both bills.\u00a0This could take place as early as next week.\u00a0The Chairman of the Full Energy and Commerce Committee is Fred Upton (R-MI) and the Ranking Member is Frank Pallone (D-N.J.).<\/p>\n