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policy

CMS will select eight organizations to test the eight-year behavioral health care integration model; applications will open in spring 2024.

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policy

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Medicare will cover marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and intensive outpatient services.

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policy

A proposed stop-gap funding measure in the House would delay an $8 billion Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding cut through Jan. 19, while Senate legislation would eliminate $16 billion in DSH cuts over the next two fiscal years.

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policy

The committee will examine policies to extend vital federal programs, including eliminating the next two years of scheduled Medicaid disproportionate share hospital funding cuts.

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Essential Insights

Located in a national epicenter for opioid use disorder, WVU Medicine, in Morgantown, W.Va., has pioneered solutions to the opioid crisis.

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policy

Under the state plan amendments, states can provide 24/7 Medicaid services to eligible individuals experiencing a behavioral health or substance use crisis.

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policy

In its response to a committee request for information on health care access in underserved areas, America's Essential Hospitals urged lawmakers to ensure support for Medicare disproportionate share hospital funding and other essential hospital priorities.

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policy

HHS announces $103 million to support obstetric care, forms the Task Force on Maternal Mental Health, and supports a postpartum depression campaign.

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policy

The Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services seeks information on assessing mental health and addiction equity parity compliance in Medicaid and CHIP; comments are due Dec. 4.

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policy

The rule aims to reinforce a law requiring that consumers have the same access to mental health and SUD benefits as they do physical health benefits.

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policy

CMS outlines three strategies to improve treatment and support for Medicaid and CHIP enrollees with mental health and substance use disorder conditions.

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institute

George Mason University and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and StressPal Inc. have opened enrollment for a no-cost, self-paced program to prevent burnout and promote resilience among health care professionals.

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policy

After months of back and forth between Republican lawmakers and the White House, President Joe Biden signs legislation to suspend the debt ceiling through 2024. The bill does not include work requirements for Medicaid recipients, a condition Republicans had sought early in negotiations.

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policy

A bipartisan group of House members sent a letter to the House speaker and Democratic leader urging them to avert an $8 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments on Oct. 1. America's Essential Hospitals helped build momentum for the letter signing campaign.

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policy

House panels last week heard testimony on a variety of issues important to essential hospitals, including looming cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital funding, workforce shortages and training, and the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

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institute

George Mason University will offer a lecture on workplace well-being and "mental health first aid" trainings for health care professionals.

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institute

Working with Essential Hospitals Institute and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, George Mason University will offer virtual Mental Health First Aid trainings for health care workers.

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policy

The $1.66 trillion package would extend funding for government operations through Sept. 30, 2023, including $120.7 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, $9.9 billion more than the FY 2022 enacted level, and numerous provisions important to essential hospitals.

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We thank congressional negotiators for supporting essential hospitals and their communities by agreeing to shore up the health care workforce, expand access to mental health and substance use disorder services, and extend flexibility for alternative care settings.

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policy

The document is the latest in a series addressing mental health policy challenges and focuses on increased integration, coordination, and access to care. A fifth and final document could be released in coming weeks.

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policy

Senate Democrats work to pass a revived human infrastructure bill before the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30. The updated legislative language includes a Medicare prescription drug pricing proposal approved by all 50 Senate Democrats.

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policy

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act seeks to close gaps in current gun safety laws and bolster mental health care, including through new support for hospitals and other providers.

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The bill, which would improve gun safety and expand access to mental health services, offers hope to health care workers, who face increased personal risk as caregivers often on the front lines of workplace violence.

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policy

A new advisory from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, calls for a whole-of-society approach to protect and support health workers facing burnout.

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policy

The current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 1.800.273.8255, will transition to 988 on all devices on July 16.

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policy

House and Senate lawmakers work to finalize a roughly $40 billion aid package for Ukraine but remain stalled on consideration of a COVID-19 aid package; a House panel considers two bills to reauthorize various federal health programs.

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policy

Party leaders in the Senate announced a compromise package that would fund $10 billion in COVID-19 relief for therapeutics, vaccines, and pandemic prevention. Meanwhile, a House panel continues work on legislation to aid small businesses.

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policy

CDC recommends an additional COVID-19 booster for older and immunocompromised adults; COVID.gov aggregates COVID-19 prevention and treatment tools; CDC data show threats to youth mental health during the pandemic.

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policy

The House-passed bill does not allocate additional COVID-19 relief for providers on the front lines of the pandemic. An initial version of the legislation included $15.6 billion in COVID-19 related spending — a scaled-back version of the $22.5 billion requested by the Biden administration.

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policy

HHS awarded $103 million to improve health care worker retention by reducing staff burnout and promoting mental wellness. Several essential hospitals were among the awardees, including the University of New Mexico, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Utah.

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policy

The advisory aims to combat the youth mental health crisis that worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the surgeon general recommends health care professionals focus on prevention and trauma-informed care principles, routinely screen children for mental health risk factors, and more.

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policy

The letter from America’s Essential Hospitals to the Senate Committee on Finance responded to the panel’s request for information on improving access to and enhancing mental and behavioral health care.

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policy

HRSA announced $103 million in American Rescue Plan funding over three years to help reduce burnout and promote mental health among the health care workforce.

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policy

CMS announces $15 million for state Medicaid agencies to launch mobile crisis intervention services, as authorized by the American Rescue Plan.

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policy

In a letter to the HHS Office of Civil Rights (OCR), America's Essential Hospitals responds to proposed changes to privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. OCR outlined the changes in a Jan. 21 proposed rule aiming to improve the transition to value-based care.

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policy

President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with House and Senate lawmakers this week to discuss a bipartisan path forward on infrastructure legislation ahead of his fiscal year 2022 budget proposal. The Senate is expected to confirm Andrea Joan Palm as deputy secretary of health and human services.

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state-action

Florida allocates $23 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding to mental health services in the state.

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state-action

California released a Blueprint for a Safer Economy, which includes an equity measure to ensure California reopens its economy safely by reducing disease transmission in all communities. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded crisis counseling grants to more than 30 states.

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quality

Essential hospitals The MetroHealth System, Nebraska Medicine, and ChristianaCare share their work to promote staff resilience and well-being.

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webinar

Explore how essential hospitals are leveraging community-integrated strategies to meet amplified inpatient and outpatient mental and behavioral health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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policy

The statutorily required report reviews rules and oversight for institutions for mental disease in seven states. Meanwhile, CMS announced it will integrate the psychiatric hospital program survey into its larger survey to determine compliance with Medicare conditions of participation.

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policy

The package, expected to become law, would delay a $4 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments through May 22, 2020. It does not include proposals to reduce surprise medical bills or prescription drug prices.

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policy

The association expressed support for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's proposed revisions to confidentiality of records for patients with substance use disorders, while outlining remaining barriers to care coordination.

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policy

Two informational bulletins outline information on services for infants via residential pediatric recovery centers and a limited exception to the institutions for mental disease exclusion for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder.

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policy

Also last week, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions advanced the bipartisan Lower Health Care Costs Act and the House Committee on Ways and Means marked up five Medicare-focused bills.

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state-action

This State Policy Snapshot summarizes the challenges of misaligned federal privacy policies and how varying state laws can complicate matters — or provide possible paths forward.

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policy

The tools and guidance aim to help states monitor and evaluate the effects of Section 1115 waiver demonstrations, including those with work and community engagement requirements and those that combat substance use disorder.

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policy

A new demonstration opportunity, which can be carried out through Section 1115 waivers, would allow states to receive reimbursement for services at institutions for mental disease for individuals with serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance.

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policy

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration data provide a statistical context for the country’s opioid crisis and other behavioral health matters.

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policy

The decision strikes down the state's overall Section 1115 waiver, which included community engagement and work requirements, but it upholds as a separate waiver a portion allowing Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder treatment in institutions for mental disease.

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policy

A change brought by passage of the 21st Century Cures Act will ensure coverage for early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for children under age 21 receiving inpatient psychiatric hospital services.

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policy

The plan is required by the 21st Century Cures Act and is meant to improve federal and state coordination around the enforcement of parity laws.

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policy

The grants will be used to establish, expand, and maintain assertive community treatment programs to reduce rates of substance use, homelessness, and criminal justice system involvement among individuals with serious mental illness. Applications are due May 29.

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policy

The final package, passed last week, included $4 billion for combating the opioid crisis and a $10 billion increase in HHS funding, but left out measures to stabilize the insurance marketplace.

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policy

The three-pronged approach aims to reduce drug demand, cut off the flow of illicit drugs domestically and internationally, and expand opportunities for proven addiction treatments.

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policy

House hearings will review legislation on enforcement measures to combat the opioid crisis; a new Senate bill would provide funding for prevention and treatment programs.

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policy

Republicans from both chambers work on a marketplace stabilization package; Senate Finance Committee Republicans plan to review the Internal Revenue Service's process for designating nonprofit hospitals.

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policy

The agency expects to release comprehensive ligature risk interpretive guidance later this year for psychiatric units of acute-care hospitals and psychiatric hospitals.

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policy

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host an information session and a series of four webinars in the coming weeks to provide information on new opportunities for states.

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Essential Insights

Lisa Fortuna, MD, MPH, medical director of medicine and adolescent psychiatry, traveled to Puerto Rico to donate medication and mental health care to victims of Hurricane Maria.

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policy

The new guide will help patients understand their mental and behavioral health, navigate treatment options, and find appropriate services.

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policy

The five-year demonstration project, beginning Jan. 1, 2018, aims to strengthen substance use disorder care for state Medicaid beneficiaries.

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policy

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' frequently asked questions document clarifies aspects of the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity final rule for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

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webinar

Participants learned about Coaching to Wellness, a program for mental health consumers with comorbid health conditions in Contra Costa County, California.

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policy

Starting in 2017, nurse practitioners and physician assistants can train to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

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policy

Providers approved for a patient limit increase must report on caseload, patients referred to behavioral health care, and their diversion control plan.

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policy

Congress seems likely to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government beyond Sept. 30. Lawmakers also are expected to approve funding to combat Zika.

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institute

Panelists discussed problems and potential solutions at the briefing, which pointed to low patient engagement, lack of resources and knowledge, and the need to integrate physical and behavioral health as key challenges.

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policy

House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the National Trauma System. Opioid legislation cleared both chambers.

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policy

Senate appropriators pass HHS spending bill that includes 340B Drug Pricing Program user fee and instructions to HRSA to consider stakeholder input in final mega-guidance.

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policy

The legislation would incorporate risk adjustment for socioeconomic status into Medicare's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.

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policy

Lawmakers are expected to have a busy June that also could include agreement among House and Senate leaders on funding to combat Zika.

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policy

Lawmakers are in recess this week following failure of the House to pass a bipartisan budget resolution. Last week, House and Senate committees tackled opioids, disparities, and mental health.

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policy

Regulation provides more robust mental health, substance use care options for those in Medicaid alternative benefit plans, CHIP, and Medicaid managed care.

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policy

Conservative Freedom Caucus opposes GOP budget plan; Senate-passed bill would combat opioid abuse; health committees work on mental health, Medicare improvement.

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webinar

Learn how a patient-centered and recovery-oriented approach helped increase Kings County Hospital Center’s patient engagement and their ability to measure group efficacy.

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quality

Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, MPH, of Hurley Medical Center, helped to uncover lead poisoning in Flint, Michigan.

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policy

Budget plan would improve Medicaid access and coverage and tackle drug pricing, but make damaging Medicare cuts; lawmakers examine Medicaid housing coverage, FMAP, 21st Century Cures, mental health.

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policy

Senate Judiciary examines heroin and prescription drug abuse; Winter Storm Jonas delays scheduled House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on Medicaid FMAP

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policy

America's Essential Hospitals and two members systems host congressional staff for round-table discussions about how proposed 340B Drug Pricing Program guidance threatens vulnerable patients and essential hospitals.

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policy

The House proposes a budget deal with potentially damaging changes for essential hospitals - the association is fighting these. Paul Ryan expected to be the next speaker of the House. The Senate HELP committee examines mental health.

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policy

Planned Parenthood remains an issue in government funding. Congress considers hospital bills, Medicare Part B premiums, medical innovation, health care competition, and Medicaid fraud and abuse, vows to focus on mental health.

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Essential Insights

The recent passing of a 9/11 survivor is an important reminder of the need for health care outreach and discussion

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institute

Articles focus on innovative waivers that support states in transforming delivery systems to improve access and quality of care. Another focus is Medicaid coverage in areas of crucial need, such as mental health care.

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policy

States may apply for a Section 1115 Medicaid waiver to support innovative care delivery for substance abuse disorder. SAMHSA, HRSA to also offer funding opportunities.

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policy

The House will vote to repeal two major ACA provisions this week - medical device tax and the IPAB - and consider four Medicare Advantage bills. Health committees are reviewing mental health and HIT.

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policy

The association submitted comments to CMS supporting expansion of coverage parity to Medicaid alternative benefit plans, CHIP, and Medicare MCOs for dual eligibles. Association urged CMS to ensure equity of service across states, actuarially sound payment rates.

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webinar

Learn how to use a team-based approach and the IMPACT model to integrate care in an ambulatory setting

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policy

Beneficiaries of Medicaid alternative benefit plans, CHIP, and Medicaid managed care organizations would stand to benefit from more robust mental health and substance use care options.

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policy

Plus, senators are concerned with the CMS rating system for Medicare Advantage plans.

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policy

The House and Senate vary recesses. Finance Committee approves HHS secretary nominee Sylvia Matthews Burwell. The Senate is expected to vote on her nomination in early June. Congress continues to scrutinize the scandal around several Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.

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policy

The yearlong investigation of the federal government's spending and resources on mental health issues. The report found that individuals with the most severe conditions are less likely to receive treatment for their illness. The investigation was led by Rep. Tim Murphy, chair of the committee's Oversight Subcommittee.

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policy

CMS released the final rule with comment period regarding the new Medicare FQHC prospective payment system. The payment system could increase Medicare payments to FQHCs by as much as 32 percent.

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policy

2014 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training for Professionals grant applications are due June 3. The program seeks to expand the mental health and substance abuse workforce serving children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth who are at risk for developing or who have developed a recognized behavioral health disorder.

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policy

House and Senate lawmakers also to discuss budget proposals, including president's

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policy

About 200 health centers can expand behavioral health services for people living with mental illness, drug problems, and alcohol problems.

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policy

Event is a follow-up to the June 4 Obama administration conference on mental health

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Calls issue a particular focus for association in context of the vulnerable populations its members serve

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Says measure would direct much-needed funding toward services for mentally ill and entire communities

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Says an estimated $1.6 billion in cuts to state funding for mental health services has exacerbated problem

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