NJAMHAA FY2022 Annual Report

8 Advocacy Work Continues on Many Fronts While we celebrate these many successes, each of which contribute to the sustainability of our mem - bers and the stability of their workforce, NJAMHAA is working towards many more fiscal and policy goals. Current advocacy to New Jersey legislators includes requests to: • Close the deficit gap caused by the transition from contracts to fee-for-service reimbursement with a $25 million investment. (S1244) • Invest to erase the backlogs in program/facility and individual licensing. • Invest $10 million to expand the School Based Youth Services Program. • Appropriate $1.5 million to support the Screening Center outreach grant program. NJAMHAA had successfully secured a law in 2020 to establish this grant program to increase Screening Centers’ outreach through mobile services, satellite offices and other means. Now, we are looking for dedicat - ed funds for this program. • Appropriate $10 million as an initial investment into facility resources for behavioral health provid - ers to further develop integrated care. • Appropriate $10 million for mental health providers to upgrade, implement and maintain interoperable electronic health systems. Along with these requests, NJAMHAA is raising awareness among elected officials about two critical needs on the horizon, funding for mobile crisis out - reach teams and respite services, and adequate fee- for-service rates to be set as a floor for any service carved into Medicaid Managed Care. Policy and Regulatory Advocacy In addition to the many fiscal successes noted, NJAMHAA has had many policy wins that support the life-saving work of our members, expand access to care and improve outcomes for those served. One of the most impactful was the telehealth legis - lation signed into law in December 2021 (P.L.2021, c.310) that made permanent the ability of clients to receive services at any location, a provision included at NJAMHAA’s request. The law also requires parity reimbursement with in-person services for two years while a study is undertaken to review access to ser- vices. NJAMHAA played a critical role in having the law retain audio-only telehealth at parity for behavioral health. Other policy and regulatory successes NJAMHAA realized this past year include: • Having crisis text-line information included along with suicide prevention hotline information on stu - dent identification cards, as required by a newly passed law. • Securing a conditional veto of a bill (now law, P.L.2021, c.323) so it would be amended to ensure a level playing field for community-based providers applying for SBYSP contracts. • Having changes made to the Medicaid Newsletter (Vol. 31, No. 07) on “Policy and Billing Procedures Related to Presumptive Drug Screening and De - finitive Drug Testing” with a new Newsletter issued (Vol. 31, No. 11) addressing members’ concerns and incorporating many of the recommendations NJAMHAA made. “What i found most impressive about njamhaa is its tenacity, legislative advocacy and very broad scope. members certainly get a bang for their buck, there’s no question that membership is a worthy investment.” - Anthony difabio, psyd, president and ceo, acenda integrated health and njamhaa board member Ensuring Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (continued)