NJAMHAA-FY21-annual-report

10 (seven in the original demonstration program and eight under expansion grants). Other increased funding that NJAMHAA has consistently, year after year, advocated for was also included in the Omnibus bill by way of supplemental funding for both the Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG). New Jersey was allocated an additional $22.65 million for the MHBG and $45.05 million for the SABG block grant in that bill. These amounts were over and above the standard appropriations in the Omnibus of $19.71 million for the MHBG and $12.02 million of the SABG. In March, NJAMHAA shared recommendations with the Department of Human Services on how these supplemental funds should be spent, and did so again in May regarding a second round of supplementals for the MHBG and SABG that were included in the American Rescue Plan that was passed in March. (See the State Budgetary Advocacy and Wins section above for a sampling of the recommendations that were made.) The ARP allocated $39.12 million to the MHBG and $38.91 million to the SABG for New Jersey. NJAMHAA has also submitted recommendations regarding the ARP funds stemming from the increase in the federal match for Home and Community Based Services. They include: support for providers in recruiting and retaining staff, ensuring fiscal viability and stable staffing for current programs; case management services; a medical-legal partnership pilot; and a variety of housing related services including rental assistance, vouchers and one-time expenses. At the federal level, NJAMHAA has also continued its advocacy regarding audio-only telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries, a provision that to date is only temporary due to COVID. In May 2021, a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R.3447) that would make this permanent under Medicare. Success at the federal level would support advocacy at the state level to have audio-only services permanently allowed under Medicaid. NJAMHAA’s advocacy has also been strong and consistent in pressing for passage of the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act (S.445/ H.R.1384) which would remove bureaucratic restrictions on dispensing buprenorphine. NJAMHAA has been directly responsible for several members of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation signing on to co-sponsor this legislation following requests made in correspondence and meetings. We now have eight of New Jersey’s Representatives as co-sponsors. NJAMHAA has also been very active in support of the Medicaid Re-entry Act (S285/H.R.955), which would make Medicaid available to inmates 30 days prior to their release. Among the other bills NJAMHAA has been advocating for at the federal level are multiple telehealth bills, the Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2021 (H.R.721) and Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA 3.0; S.987), which would authorize $785 million toward substance use prevention, treatment, criminal justice, and recovery programs. CARA 3.0 incorporates provisions of several other bills NJAMHAA has been supporting separately, such as prohibiting states from requiring prior authorization for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) under Medicaid, permanently allowing providers to prescribe MAT via audio-only telehealth and removing limits on the number of patients a physician can treat with buprenorphine. As we work to see these bills become law, as well as advocate on behalf of the behavioral healthcare workforce and behavioral health programs in the proposed American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan, NJAMHAA will continue to keep members apprised of the details and our successes in all relevant legislation! “We would not be where we are without NJAMHAA’s support.” - Al Bassetti, MA, LPC, Director Employee Assistance Program and Emergency Services, Hunterdon Medical Center