NACBHDD is the only national voice for county and local behavioral health and developmental disability authorities in Washington, DC. Through education, policy analysis, and advocacy, NACBHDD brings the unique perspective of our members to Congress and the Executive Branch and promotes national policies that recognize and support the critical role counties play in caring for people affected by mental illness, addiction, and developmental disabilities.
NACBHDD is also an active partner in efforts to improve access to, funding for, and quality of behavioral health services, especially those that serve the most vulnerable in our communities. Key issues include: protecting Medicaid coverage, ending the stigma of mental illness, better treatment for veterans, achieving parity in insurance coverage for behavioral health care, affordable housing and vocational training for those with mental illness or developmental disabilities, and many more.
Newsletter NACBHDD Board Discusses Legislation and Health Care Reform The NACBHDD Board met July 10 and 11 in Kansas City, Missouri, immediately prior to the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference. A highlight of the very successful Board meeting was a visit from NACo First Vice President Valerie Brown, who is leading NACo's health care reform initiative. |
Legislative Issues Congress moves toward August recess Congress continues to work on numerous issues before the upcoming August recess. However, the usual summer appropriations work has stalled in the House. Both chambers admit that a continuing resolution (CR) will be likely and that they will finish FY 2009 appropriations early next year under a new Administration. |
conferences NACBHDD's 2008 Annual Legislative Conference was a great success! This year's confernece in Washington, DC featured presentations from SAMHSA and CMS directors, key Congressional committee staff, our colleagues in other national associations, and Representatives Henry Waxman (CA) and Patrick Kennedy (RI). |
