NJAMHAA FY2022 Annual Report

12 • Promoting Effective and Empowering Re - covery Services in Medicare (PEERS) Act - HR2767/S2144: Specifies that peer support spe - cialists may participate in the provision of behav - ioral health integration services with the supervi- sion of a physician or other entity under Medicare. • Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act - HR5611/S1902: Empowers communities to establish a continuum of care for individuals expe - riencing a mental or behavioral health crisis and requires the establishment of standards; identifies the minimum components of a system as: crisis call center, mobile crisis response teams, crisis receiving and stabilization facilities and behavioral health urgent care facilities; and requires Medi - care, Medicaid, group health plans and others to cover crisis response services. With the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) cur - rently expected to end in July, there are implications for both federal and state policy. At the same time, New Jersey is working to “unroll” its many COVID waivers and practices. While NJAMHAA continues its advocacy for all the state and federal budget and policy items already mentioned, we are also working to ensure permanency for provisions that have proven to be effective and efficient, and for a glide path for those that will cease. This work has been underway, with some successes already realized – such as with provisions of the new telehealth law. Enormous Possibilities when We All Raise our Voices Together! It is a fact that, when many voices are raised on an issue, success is more likely. NJAMHAA regularly provides both state and federal legislative and bud - get alerts to its members and other stakeholders. Its Partners in Advocacy program continues to grow as more members commit to adding their voices to our advocacy efforts. Not only that, but NJAMHAA has now opened this group to non-members, meaning our advocacy alerts go out to stakeholders who then share them with their own networks, greatly amplifying our message! NJAMHAA also regularly provides members opportu- nities to speak directly to state and federal legislators and other policymakers. This is accomplished through forums, such as the gubernatorial forum hosted last fall with Assemblyman Daniel Benson, representing Gov. Murphy, and Republican candidate Jack Ciat - tarelli, as well as forums with legislators. NJAMHAA also regularly hosts legislators, as well as Commis - sioners and other Departmental and Administration Leadership at Membership, Practice Group and Council meetings, as well as during special events. NJAMHAA’s reputation and the relationships it has built afford its members unmatched access to policy - makers and, at the same time, a strong foundation for advocacy successes. As we continue to fight for funding and other priorities on behalf of providers and the many diverse commu - nities they serve, we encourage all members to add their voice to these efforts so that we may realize many more budgetary, policy and regulatory success- es! Ensuring Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (continued) “The NJAMHAA team always does great work in keeping the members informed, but during the pandemic, their work has been invaluable. I am receiving a ton of e-mails related to COVID-19; it can be information overload. However, their e-mails are always precise and to the point!” – Brigitte D. Johnson, Esq., Executive Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs/In-House Counsel/ Compliance Officer, CarePlus New Jersey, and New Jersey Mental Health Institute Board Member