July 15, 2008

National Council Resources & Events
Medicaid
Medicare
Addictions
International
Veterans’ Mental Health
State Watch
Grants & Funding Opportunities
Other Resources
Other Events

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NATIONAL COUNCIL RESOURCES & EVENTS

Report Provides Analysis of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits Available Through State Health Care Reform
The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) recently released a joint report entitled, “Coverage for All: Inclusion of Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders in State Healthcare Reform Initiatives”. This paper is based on research on 18 state initiatives and proposals and is focused on the mental health and substance use disorder benefits available through state health care reform. Key findings include: 1) Approximately 60% of states evaluated have equal coverage for serious mental illness or mental illness and other conditions; 2) Only 28% of the states evaluated have an equal benefit for substance use disorders and other health conditions in at least one of their programs; 3) Federal waivers are a component of reform in approximately 75% of the states with implemented programs, highlighting the importance of federal dollars and policy in future health care expansion efforts. Both an executive summary and the full report are now available.

Encourage Presidential Candidates to Include Mental Health and Addictions Issues in Health Care Reform
Join 40 national organizations, including the National Council by signing a petition that  calls on the presidential candidates and their parties to make addiction and mental illness part of any national health care reform. Please take one minute to sign the Whole Health Campaign petition, joining with many thousands of Americans asking the candidates and political parties to put addiction and mental illness squarely on the national health care agenda. The Campaign will deliver the petitions to both major presidential candidates and political party platform committees. Your signature will help demonstrate strong grassroots support for this critical priority.

New National Council Fact Sheets Available!
The National Council’s website is frequently updated with issue briefs, letters, and other materials of interest to members. Please take notice of these recently added fact sheets: Veterans Mental Health Outreach and Access Act, Addictions Appropriations, and Community Mental Health Services Improvement Act.

Subscribe to Compliance Watch: A Behavioral Health Exclusive!
Now you can be out in front of compliance issues with the industry's only e-newsletter devoted to keeping your organization within the letter of the law. Each quarter, Compliance Watch, published by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, brings you in-depth articles on compliance challenges and solutions unique to mental health and addictions service provider organizations and is edited by Mary Thornton, the field's foremost compliance expert. Just one bit of information gleaned from Compliance Watch could literally save your organization millions...and you your livelihood. Subscribe today to receive three issues of the Compliance Watch e-newsletter in 2008, starting in June. National Council Members: $225. Nonmembers: $500.

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MEDICAID

Calculate the Impact of Medicaid Cuts in Your State
Families USA has created a resource, the Medicaid Calculator, which can help you calculate the effect a state Medicaid cut will have on the state’s economy. By selecting your state and the amount of money of increases/decreases to state Medicaid spending, the Medicaid Calculator will provide how much the state would gain or lose in business activity, jobs, and salaries and wages.

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MEDICARE

2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Reporting Options Quick Reference Chart
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce that a new educational resource has been posted to the PQRI webpage on the CMS website and is available for ordering through the Medicare Learning Network product ordering system. The 2008 PQRI Reporting Options Quick Reference Chart is a two-sided laminated reference chart that gives Eligible Professionals and practice staff a quick reference to the new reporting options available for 2008 PQRI with their corresponding alternative reporting periods.

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ADDICTIONS

Study Finds that State Rules Often Determine Type of Addiction Treatment Provided
According to research from the University of Chicago, state rules and policies play an important role in determining the type of addiction treatment delivered to patients and could be key to getting more treatment programs to adopt proven interventions. This study, which looked at the impact of state policy requirements on outpatients care at 9,000 addiction-treatment programs nationwide, found that most services delivered were closely related to research recommendations from the states, and that programs located in states that required more comprehensive services were more likely to deliver them than programs in states without such mandates. The study was published in the July 2008 issue of Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.

NIAAA Study Finds that Medication is Key to Alcoholism Treatment Success
Research from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (NIAAA) found that alcohol-dependent individuals who consistently took prescribed medications to prevent withdrawal symptoms and craving had better treatment outcomes than those who didn't take their medication, even among patients receiving behavioral counseling. Data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Combine study found that those patients who adhered to the medication regimen for naltrexone or acamprosate as well as taking part in medical-management (MM) or combined behavioral intervention (CBI) programs had more abstinent days and avoided heavy drinking more successfully than those who didn't take their prescribed drugs as ordered. The study will be published in the September 2008 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

Research Credits Decline in Traffic Deaths to Drinking-Age Laws
Research from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) shows that raising the legal drinking age to 21 resulted in an 11% decrease in the number of drunk teenagers involved in fatal car crashes. States that punish underage drinkers for using fake IDs had 14% fewer teen drunk-driving deaths than states without such laws. The article was published in the January 2008 issue of the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention.

Addiction Treatment Professionals: Share Your Views in a Short Online Survey
Are you an administrator or staff member in a treatment program for substance use disorders? If yes, please share your views and experiences by participating in an online survey. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University invites administrators and staff of public and private addiction treatment programs in the U.S. to participate in a brief online survey about the issues and barriers you face in providing quality service and about your recommendations for improvement. The survey is part of a larger study examining the state of substance abuse treatment in the U.S. and strategies to improve access, availability and quality of treatment. The online survey is only five questions and can be completed in a matter of minutes. Your responses will be anonymous and confidential; they cannot be attributed to you in any way. If you have any questions about the survey or CASA’s work, please contact Dr. Roger Vaughan, DrPh, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

SBI Codes Adopted in 10 States; Doctors Now Getting Reimbursed for Screening
According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), new diagnostic codes for addiction screening and brief intervention (SBI) have been adopted   by 10 U.S. states, making it easier for doctors to get reimbursed for screening Medicaid patients. The states that have adopted the American Medical Association Common Procedural Terminology codes (CPT) or Centers for Medicaid Services (CMS) HCPCS so far are Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington. The state of Wisconsin is conducting SBI as part of a package of healthcare services for pregnant women. Private insurers, such as Aetna, and public insurers, such as the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program are also using the new SBI codes.

Source: Join Together

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INTERNATIONAL

Drug Use Becoming More Common Throughout the World, U.S. Leading the Increase
Use of various illicit drugs has become more common worldwide over the years, and the United States has some of the world's highest rates of lifetime alcohol and tobacco use, according to an international survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO).Researchers conducted surveys on lifetime use of alcohol, tobacco, cocaine and marijuana in 17 nations in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Researchers found that men, younger adults, and individuals with higher incomes were more likely to use drugs. Lifetime tobacco use was highest in the U.S. (74 percent), followed by Lebanon, Mexico, the Ukraine, and the Netherlands. The research findings were published in the July 1, 2008 issue of the journal PLoS Medicine.

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VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTH

Rising Alcohol Abuse Seen Among Returning Veterans, Use of Illicit Drugs Increased as Well
Veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars are increasingly turning to alcohol when they return home to cope with the lingering stress of their combat experiences, sometimes with tragic consequences. The military has a shortage of addiction-treatment providers for active duty personnel, and reservists and their families often have difficulty getting access to care through the Tricare health plan. The most recent post deployment surveys by the Pentagon show that 12 percent of active-duty soldiers and 15 percent of reservists acknowledge having problems with alcohol. Use of illicit drugs also is up slightly in the Army and Marines since 2002, and the problem may be worse among those who have left the service.

Source: Join Together

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STATE WATCH

MA: Health Insurance Law Faces Cost Challenges, State Raises Cigarette Tax
Since Massachusetts’ health insurance law was enacted in 2006, the percentage of uninsured Massachusetts adults has decreased from 13% to 7%. The law was expected to cost about $472 million in the first year, but because of higher-than-expected enrollment in government-sponsored programs, the actual cost was $625 million. Costs also have increased for residents. Monthly premiums for partially subsidized coverage increased by an average of 9.4% going into the second year of the program, according to state figures. Premiums for people purchasing private coverage without a subsidy increased by an average of 5.1%. State officials have said that lawmakers are considering legislation to reduce costs, including increased use of electronic health records.

In related news, Governor Deval Patrick recently signed into law a piece of legislation that increases the state cigarette tax by $1 per pack. The increase, which brings the tax to $2.51, took effect immediately.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

DC: RAND Report Says DC Should Spend $90M to Expand Health Services to Underserved Areas
According to a RAND report, Washington D.C. should spend $90 million from the 1998 tobacco settlement to expand health services provided by community health centers to underserved areas. The report also recommended spending $24 million on improving electronic health record systems and reserving $7.5 million for mental and oral health issues, as well as numerous smaller projects. In addition, the report recommended improving overall care including "licensure of physicians, cultural sensitivity and bedside manner."

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

CT: State Launches Charter Oak Health Plan for the Uninsured
As of July 1, the state of Connecticut opened enrollment for Charter Oak, its health plan for residents who don’t qualify for pre-existing state programs and aren’t insured through an employer. The state has contracted with three private insurers, Aetna Better Health, AmeriChoice of Connecticut and Community Health Network of Connecticut, and expects to cover 19,200 adults during the first year, rising to 47,200 in its third year. Enrollees may begin receiving coverage as early as August 1. Individual premiums will range from $75 a month to as high as $259 a month, with annual deductibles ranging from $150 to $900.

Source: Stateline

NC: Mental Health Parity Law Takes Effect
North Carolina health care insurers must provide the same amount of coverage for certain mental conditions as they do for physical ailments under a state law that recently took effect. The conditions are bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, paranoid or psychotic disorders, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa and bulimia. The law does not apply to "self-insured" employers because they are governed by federal law.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

CA: Article Analyzes Progress of San Francisco Program Enrollment
According to an analysis by the San Francisco Chronicle, Healthy San Francisco is currently only open to individuals with incomes up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, despite promises that the program would be available to all residents by January 2008. Under Healthy San Francisco, residents are assigned to one of 27 primary care facilities in the city, which focus on preventive care, and have access to a range of other health services. Enrollees contribute a quarterly fee and copayments depending on their incomes. Coverage does not extend beyond the city. The program, projected to cost $200 million annually, is designed to be funded by employer contributions, a state grant and beneficiaries' fees. City public health officials have committed to allowing people with incomes up to 500% of the poverty level to enroll beginning in February 2009, and they said that they expect all city residents will be able to apply by the summer of 2009. However, there is no new estimate for when full coverage will be achieved.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

NJ: Governor Signs Law Mandating Health Coverage for Children
Recently, Governor Corzine signed into law a bill requiring health care coverage for all children in the state and expands the FamilyCare program to cover an additional 25,000 lower-income adults within a year. Parents up to twice the federal poverty level, or about $42,000 per family of four, would be able to access coverage. Currently the program enrolls 124,000 children and 97,000 adults in families earning below 133 percent of the federal poverty level, or $28,196 for a family of four.

Source: Stateline

WI: State-by-State Analysis Finds that Wisconsin is Most Affected by Alcohol
According to a state-by-state analysis conducted by a Wisconsin newspaper, Wisconsin is the state most deeply affected by alcohol use in the U.S. The analysis included 10 key measures of each state's drinking culture, including price, availability, consumption, and related criminal-justice, social and health impacts of use.

Source: Join Together

PA: Governor Signs Law Requiring Coverage for Children with Autism
Recently, Governor Rendell signed legislation into law that requires insurance companies to pay for medically necessary services for the 6,000 Pennsylvanians who are under 22 and have autism. The law requires that insurers pay up to $36,000 per year for medically necessary services.

Source: Stateline

GA: Report Says that Health Insurance Law Unlikely to Reduce the Number of Uninsured
According to a report released by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, new Georgia state laws aimed at reducing the number of uninsured by providing incentives for them to buy lower-premium health care policies are not likely to work. In an effort to reduce premium prices, the new Georgia plan removes premium taxes from high-deductible plans, gives tax breaks to individuals and small employers and allows insurance companies to provide financial incentives for beneficiaries who promote a healthy lifestyle. The report states that rather than help the uninsured, the incentives will reward those already with coverage. Critics of the new law say that the incentives are too small to encourage people to purchase insurance.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

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GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

NIDA Grants Available for Integrated Addictions & Criminal Justice Efforts
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) will award $3.5 million in grants for research on integrated addiction treatment for adolescents and adults involved in the criminal-justice system. The grants will be made under the NIH Cooperative Research Project Grant (U01) process. Four to six new or continuation grants will be awarded. "The goal of this cooperative research program is to develop and test systems-level models that integrate public health and public safety approaches for criminal justice-involved adults and adolescents with drug abuse and addictive disorders," according to NIDA. Nonprofits, for-profit organizations, schools, governments and other may apply for support. The application is due August 28.

NIAAA Grants for Secondary Analysis of Existing Alcohol Use Data
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) will award research grants to support secondary analysis of existing data on alcohol use. "NIAAA seeks to enhance the understanding of the patterns of alcohol consumption and the epidemiology of alcohol-related problems," the agency noted. Applications are now being accepted from nonprofits, for-profit firms, schools, governments, and others for these grants. Funding will be awarded under the R01, R03 and R21 research-funding mechanisms.

IRS Offering Free Tax Preparation Assistance for Low Income Individuals
Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is currently offering free tax preparation assistance to low income taxpayers including persons with disabilities, non-English speakers, and the elderly. This grant program requires a community organization to apply and offer matching funds for the VITA grant funds requested. The application deadline is September 2, 2008 but organizations are highly encouraged to apply early.

OJJDP Grants Available for Mentoring Programs for At-Risk Tribal Youth
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) invites applicants to propose the continuation, expansion, or enhancement of initiatives that will assist in the development of community programs to provide mentoring services to underserved populations. Applicants are limited to national tribal organizations and national organizations, including community, secular, and faith-based nonprofit organizations. The application is due August 4, 2008.

NIAAA Grants for Continued Research on Underage Drinking
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (NIAAA) will award $3 million for cooperative agreements to enable rural and small urban healthcare systems to conduct research on underage drinking. The Limited Competition: Underage Drinking: Building Healthcare System Responses (Phase II) grants will be awarded to nonprofits, governments, schools, for-profits, and others who took part in Phase I of the project; grantees previously assessed underage drinking in the area and developed capacity to intervene with young drinkers. The application deadline is November 7.

NIDA Grants for Development of Medications to Treat Individuals with Multiple Addictions
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) will award $3 million for research on developing medications to help treat individuals with addictions to multiple substances, including alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs and illicit drugs. The Medications Development for Polydrug Addiction Treatment grants will be made under the R01 and R21 research funding protocols. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, schools, governments, and others; four to seven grants are expected to be made. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

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OTHER RESOURCES

New Survey Finds that Many Forego Health Care Due to Costs, Even Those with Insurance
According to results of a new survey from the Center for Studying Health System Change, 20% of the population, or 59 million people, either delayed or did without medical care due to cost. Although many of these individuals lacked health insurance all together, may respondents who reported forgoing care had insurance but were unable to afford the out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays and deductibles, associated with receiving care. In addition, those with insurance reported that their insurers wouldn’t approve treatment or facilities wouldn’t accept their insurer. The results are based on the responses of 18,000 individuals to a telephone survey.

Planning Guidance for At-Risk Populations and Pandemic Influenza
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has recently released a new publication: At-Risk Populations and Pandemic Influenza: Planning Guidance for State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local Health Departments. Under a cooperative agreement with CDC, ASTHO was asked to develop model guidance on the protection of at-risk populations in an influenza pandemic; it is ASTHO's hope that the culmination of this important project will assist public health officials in their pandemic influenza planning efforts.

Get Involved in Disability Advocacy: Provide Input to the National Council on Disability
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD's next annual progress report to the President and Congress. The Council is seeking input on disability issues including health, housing, employment, insurance, transportation, assistive technology, recreation, emergency preparedness, early intervention and education. Suggestions should be sent by email to NCD by July 22, 2008. Please include “Emerging Trends” in the subject line.

KFF Issue Brief Examines Tax Implications Of Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage
This new issue brief by Kaiser Family Foundation researchers uses examples of workers with different wages earnings to illustrate how the current tax code affects families depending on whether they have health coverage, and whether that coverage is provided through their employer. By excluding the value of employer-sponsored health benefits from taxable income, the current law generally provides a larger subsidy to higher-income families, since higher-income workers pay federal and state income taxes at a higher marginal tax rate than lower-income workers. The brief also looks at several other tax provisions that affect the treatment of insurance, including the itemized deduction for medical expenses.

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OTHER EVENTS

National Conference on Women, Addiction, & Recovery, September 15-17
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, in partnership with New Century Institute and the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, is pleased to host The 3rd National Conference on Women, Addiction and Recovery: Inspiring Leadership, Changing Lives. This 2 ½ day conference will bring together a diverse audience with an interest in substance abuse treatment for women and women with children. The audience will find a broad mix of topics addressed, including best practices as well as innovative and emergent approaches to treating women, issues pertaining to recovery support, health and wellness, as well as program administration and management. If you register before August 15, you can save $55 on the registration fee.