FY2025-Annual-Report

NJAMHAA Annual Report FY 2025 13 Federal Budget and Advocacy Successes On March 14, 2025, with just hours left before the deadline to prevent a government shutdown, a Continuing Resolution (CR) was passed by the Senate and then was signed by President Donald Trump. The CR extended federal funding through the remainder of the federal fiscal year (FY) - to September 30th - at FY2024 levels, with some exceptions. Of importance to NJAMHAA members, the CR did include funding at FY2024 levels for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Expansion Grants and an extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through September. Since the signing of the CR, NJAMHAA and all state and federal associations and policymakers have turned their attention to the Budget Reconciliation bill, which will provide the parameters not only for FY2026 spending, but also for eight subsequent years, with tax, health and safety net policy changes. While Republicans had hoped to pass the bill by the 4th of July, it is anticipated that differences within their Senate and House caucuses, as well as between the two houses, will cause delays. The reactions of constituents and input from the advocacy community have had an impact on where many legislators stand. NJAMHAA has led constant writing and calling campaigns, which will continue throughout the process until a final bill is passed, and has signed on to scores more, several of which have been shared with NJAMHAA members. With both New Jersey Senators opposed to the many Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), housing and other detrimental provisions in the reconciliation bill, most future advocacy efforts will continue to focus on the House of Representatives, where New Jersey has three Republican Representatives. “ When I transitioned from a prior member agency to Forge Health, I knew I had to stay connected with NJAMHAA for its invaluable advocacy and insights. NJAMHAA is an essential partner in amplifying our impact. ” Lisa Lawson, MBA, LCSW, CCS Executive Director Forge Health New Jersey On March 27, 2025, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced a restructuring of the Department. The plan is to consolidate 28 HHS Divisions into 15, while reducing the number of regional offices from 10 to five. The Region 2 office, which served New Jersey, was among those that closed. It is also a goal of the plan to reduce full-time staff at HHS by 10,000. When combined with other efforts, staff will be reduced by 20,000, going from 82,000 to 62,000. A new Administration for a Healthy America (AHA) will consolidate several offices and agencies, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Office of the Surgeon General, among others. NJAMHAA is working with the many national associations it belongs to on influencing the reorganization, while monitoring the changes closely for impacts on funding and programs.