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 June 2009 In this Issue... Health Reform Debate Intensifies: NACBHDD Emphasizes Access, Supportive Services, and the Critical Role of County Behavioral Health in the Overall System Pat Fleming, Director of Salt Lake County, UT Substance Abuse services participates in NACo Capitol Hill briefing California Lauches State-Wide Comprehensive Network of Care Veterans Web Site NACBHDD Board of Directors will meet July 23 & 24 in Nashville/Davidson County, TN NACo Holds 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition |
Legislative News DC Update Congress is on recess this week for the July Fourth holiday. When members return, the health reform debate will continue along with much work left on multiple appropriations bills. While the Senate HELP Committee plans to complete mark up of their health reform bill, the Senate Finance Committee has delayed releasing its proposal due the cost. House committees of jurisdiction, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means and Education and Labor released a tri-committee proposal and is expected to continue working on the legislation in July. On the 10th Anniversary of the Olstead v. L.C. decision, President Obama announces launch of "The Year of Community Living," a new effort to assist Americans with disabilities. |
Conferences 2009 Legislative and Policy Conference was a great success!! From March 9-11, 2009 participants in the 2009 conference heard informative and engaging presentations, met with Members of Congress, learned about the prospects and process for health care reform, attended a Congressional Reception where Representatives Patrick Kennedy, Allyson Schwartz and Jackie Speier spoke to them, and celebrated NACBHDD's 20th anniversary as a NACo affiliate! It was a jam-packed three days that participants said were educational, memorable and fun! A highlight of the 2009 Conference was the 20th Anniversary Reception that celebrated NACBHDD's two decades as an official NACo affiliate. We were pleased that NACo's Executive Director, Larry Naake, came by to speak to us accompanied by NACo President-elect Teresa Altemus from Virginia who said a few words as well. Long time NACBHDD Board Member David Wiebe (Johnson County, KS) was the evenings Master of Ceremonies and presented the "Outstanding Leadership Award" to the longest serving Board Member, Mr. Lynn Ferrell of Polk County, IA. Wiebe read remarks prepared by Ferrell's Iowa colleage and NACBHDD Board member, Linda Hinton, Counsel for the Iowa State Association of Counties, about Ferrell. The speech was entitled "Lynn Ferrell: the Unsung Hero."
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