Re: The Power of Citizen Government
 
Dear Member:
 
The morning of June 18, former Michigan Senator Don Riegle looked around the Washington D.C. banquet room filled with National Council members, their boards, and consumers and reflected on the power of "citizen government." And the potential of "citizen government" was realized as more than 300 National Council members converged upon Capitol Hill with the message that Medicaid must be protected, veterans must be cared for, parity must be passed, and the Community Mental Health Services Improvement Act must be supported.
 
Hill Day preparation began the day before, June 17, with a full schedule of public policy speakers and discussions including lunch and questions and answers with political reporter, Eleanor Clift. The day ended with a reception honoring those who made time in their busy lives and schedules to come to Washington.  We celebrated our work--the progress we've made as a voice for mental illnesses and addictions as chronic health conditions; a voice for the right of all people to early intervention and effective treatments; and a voice for full social inclusion of people recovering from mental illnesses and addictions--and we talked about all the hard work ahead.
 
Hill Day was sunny and cool and spirits were high as Senator Riegle sent us off. Most meetings, even those with the Senators and Representatives that have the hardest hearts, went well.
 
Some of us found the time to participate in a Senate briefing on the early mortality of people with serious mental illnesses that urged immediate action to address this human tragedy. And all of us ended the day with a large and lively Congressional reception that honored our Senate and House champions on both sides of the aisle.
 
IF YOU WERE WITH US, WE THANK YOU AND IF YOU WEREN'T WITH US, PUT NEXT YEAR'S HILL DAY DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR, JUNE 9-10, 2009.
 
2009 will bring a new administration, a new Congress, and a host of challenges and opportunities. I don't advise that we sit on the sidelines. Support for healthcare reform is growing but there are as many definitions of reform and plans as there are supporters. And just as universal healthcare gains momentum, our economy weakens. Nevertheless, we need to be prepared for widespread change--to be at the table, to understand the issues and to have a cogent and reasonable reform design. We must also be ready for cost containment strategies to increase regardless of who occupies the White House. We need to make grand reform plans while continuing our incremental progress in preserving, strengthening, and expanding services.
 
Our voices are being heard and the effect of our activity is being felt here in D.C. as well as in our members' home states. We won't stop, but we'll be stronger if you add your voice. Be with us next year.

Best Regards,
Linda Rosenberg, MSW
President and CEO
National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare