Public Policy Advocacy

• October 17, 2023 - Letter with our colleagues of the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), submitting comments on proposed regulations to the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) urging the Departments to finalize strong rules without problematic exceptions to increase access to mental health and substance use disorder care.
• May 23, 2023 - Letter in support of the Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act (MHLG).

• October 17, 2023 - Letter with our colleagues of the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), submitting comments on proposed regulations to the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) urging the Departments to finalize strong rules without problematic exceptions to increase access to mental health and substance use disorder care.
• July 26, 2023 - Letter in support of increasing funding for early intervention and prevention services as part of the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant within appropriations for SAMHSA (MHLG).
• June 29, 2023 - Letter in support of the Helping Kids Cope Act (HR 2412), expands access to care for pediatric populations and supports pediatric mental health care workforce development (MHLG).
• May 25, 2023 - Letter in support of the Mental Health Services for Students Act (MHLG).
• May 23, 2023 - Letter in support of the Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act (MHLG).

• May 18, 2023 - Letter in support of the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act (MHLG).

• June 6, 2023 - Letter to House Ways & Means Committee leadership in support of the Telehealth Expansion Act of 2023 (HR 1843/S 1001).

• September 19, 2023 - Letter in support of the Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective (COMPLETE) Care Act (S 1378), which seeks to incentivize primary care to adopt and implement integrated care models (MHLG).
• June 29, 2023 - Letter in support of the Helping Kids Cope Act (HR 2412), expands access to care for pediatric populations and supports pediatric mental health care workforce development (MHLG).
• May 17, 2023 - In support of the Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program (PSLRP) and increased appropriations for it in the House and Senate.

• October 30, 2023 - Letter in support of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act to the leadership of the Senate HELP Committee, requesting that they take up reauthorization of the Act with input from stakeholder groups (MHLG).
• October 4, 2023 - Letter of support for the Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act (HR 3331/S 754) (MHLG).
• April 13, 2023 - Appropriations requests for the Social Determinants of Health program within the CDC.
• March 20, 2023 - Appropriations Recommendations for FY2024 (MHLG).
• February 21, 2023 - Thank you to House Mental Health Caucus Co-Chairs of the 118th Congress (MHLG).
• February 10, 2023 - Request for White House support of Mental Health Month in May (MHLG).

Insurance Coverage (including Medicare/Medicaid)

• July 26, 2022 - Letter in support of the Behavioral Health Coverage Transparency Act (MHLG).
• May 16, 2022 - Letter in support of the bipartisan Parity Implementation Assistance Act (HR 3753/S 1962) (MHLG).
• May 10, 2022 - Letter in support of the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022 (HR 7666), particularly of the language in Section 321 that would end harmful opt-outs from federal parity requirements for nonfederal government plans (MHLG).
• May 10, 2022 - Letter in support of the Strengthen Kids’ Mental Health Now Act (HR 7236), which bolsters support for pediatric mental health care through Medicaid, supports community-based pediatric mental health services and innovative solutions to increase care coordination and integration, invests in developing and growing the pediatric mental health workforce, and expands our national capacity to provide care to children across the continuum (MHLG).
• April 5, 2022 - Letter in support of the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act (HR 3173/S 3018), which would help protect patients from unnecessary delays in care by streamlining and standardizing prior authorization in the Medicare Advantage program (MHLG).
• April 1, 2022 - Letter to DOL/DHHS leadership urging them to file an amicus brief re: Wit vs. UBH to support a hearing before the full Ninth Circuit (en banc review).  The original decision impacted the criteria that insurance companies use to determine which mental healthcare services are "medically necessary," determining certain standards of care that could potentially be reversed by the recent appeal (MHLG). 
• February 15, 2022 - Letter requesting to include the civil monetary authorities provision in final Build Back Better language to support increased parity compliance (MHLG).
• February 14, 2022 - Letter to the House Ways & Means Committee urging the extension of the Federal Parity Act protections to Medicare and all of Medicaid (MHLG).
• October 18, 2021 - Letter in support of the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act, which seeks to eliminates the discrimination against mental illnesses that continues to exist in the Medicare program as Medicare beneficiaries are limited to 190days of inpatient psychiatric hospital care during their lifetime.  This limit does not apply to to psychiatric units in general hospitals, and there is no such lifetime limit for any other Medicare specialty inpatient hospital service (MHLG).
• September 10, 2021 - Letter in support of proposed budget provisions for the enforcement of the Federal Parity Act in the Senate.
• June 21, 2021 - Letter in support of the Medicaid Bump Act (HR 3450/S 1727) in the House and Senate, which incentivizes states to expand coverages of behavioral health services by providing an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) matching rate to 90% (MHLG).
• February 25, 2021 - Letter in opposition to proposal that would allow Medicare Part D plans the ability to limit the drugs they cover.
• February 16, 2021 - Letter urging CMS to work with stakeholders to update their school-based Medicaid guidance.
• February 4, 2021 - Letter to House leadership in support of the reintroduction of the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (MHLG).
• October 5, 2020 and May 22, 2020 – Letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services urging the extension of temporary telehealth services/provisions beyond the COVID-19 emergency period (MHLG).
• June 25, 2020– Letter to Senate leadership calling for continuing the existing FMAP increase, increasing it further per the House HEROES Act, and extending the total increase through June 2021 (MHLG).
• June 5, 2020– Letter to House leadership in support of the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (MHLG).
• May 21, 2020– Letter to House leadership in support of the Health Care Protection Act (MHLG).
• April 30, 2020– Letter to Congressional leadership asking for the expansion of statutory authority to the Department of Labor, in service of requiring ERISA plans to cover telehealth (MHLG).
• April 24, 2020 – Letter to Congressional leadership and Department of Labor calling for insurance coverage of telementalhealth services, and parity in that coverage (MHLG).
• March 25, 2020 – Request to the House/Senate and National Association of Insurance Commissioners to temporarily lift restrictions on telebehavioral health for all regardless of insurance plan, and ensure parity compliance, for the duration of the COVID-19 national emergency (MHLG).
• March 4, 2020 – In support of the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act in both the House and Senate (MHLG).
• June 6, 2019– In support of the Mental Health Parity Compliance Act of 2019 in the House (MHLG)
• June 5, 2019– In support of the Mental Health Parity Compliance Act of 2019 in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (MHLG)
• May 30, 2019– In support of the Mental Health Parity Compliance Act of 2019 in the Senate (MHLG)

Treatment Access

• September 7, 2022 - Letter in support of the Health Care Capacity for Pediatric Mental Health Act (S 4472) (MHLG).
• July 27, 2022 - Letter to Senate HELP Committee leadership in support of including funding for collaborative care model, which integrates mental health into primary care settings, in upcoming reauthorization of programs created by 21st Century Cures Act (MHLG).
• July 21, 2022 - Letter thanking Congressional leadership for their passing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (MHLG).
• July 6, 2022 - Letter in support of the Improving Access to Behavioral Health Integration Act (S 4306) (MHLG).
• June 23, 2022 - Letter to Congressional leadership in support of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (MHLG).
• May 16, 2022 - Letter in support of the bipartisan Parity Implementation Assistance Act (HR 3753/S 1962) (MHLG).
• May 10, 2022 - Letter in support of the Strengthen Kids’ Mental Health Now Act (HR 7236), which bolsters support for pediatric mental health care through Medicaid, supports community-based pediatric mental health services and innovative solutions to increase care coordination and integration, invests in developing and growing the pediatric mental health workforce, and expands our national capacity to provide care to children across the continuum (MHLG).
• April 4, 2022 - Letter in support of the Supporting Children’s Mental Health Care Access Act of 2022 (HR 7076) (MHLG).
• February 15, 2022 - Letter requesting to include the civil monetary authorities provision in final Build Back Better language to support increased parity compliance (MHLG).
• February 14, 2022 - Letter to the House Ways & Means Committee urging the extension of the Federal Parity Act protections to Medicare and all of Medicaid (MHLG).
• July 7, 2021 and June 30, 2021 - In support of the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S 2069/HR 4323) in both the House and Senate (MHLG).
• March 2, 2021 - In support of the Mental Health Services for Students Act, which would provide funding for schools to partner with local mental health professionals to establish on-site mental health care services for students (MHLG).
• March 20, 2020 – Letter to Administrative and Congressional leadership outlining short- and long-term suggestions to protect and promote mental healthcare access in light of COVID-19.
• March 4, 2020 – In support of the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act in both the House and Senate (MHLG).
• March 1, 2019 – Response to request for comment on addressing healthcare costs/affordability by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (MHLG)
• February 8, 2019 – In support of the expansion of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic demonstration as part of the Excellence in Mental Health Act of 2014 (MHLG).

Supporting Diverse Communities

• October 13, 2021 - In support of the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act (S 1795) (MHLG).
• September 17, 2021 - In support of the maternal mental health provisions included as part of the Build Back Better Act, including those that expand postpartum insurance coverage and that invest in birth equity for BIPOC populations.
• August 23, 2021 and September 10, 2021 - In support of the Moms Matter Act in the House (HR 909) and Senate (S 484) (MHLG).
• March 12, 2021 - In support of the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act (MHLG).
• February 2021 - In support of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (MHLG).

Telehealth

• November 11, 2022 - Letter urging the Drug Enforcement Administration to ensure continued access to telehealth treatment prior to the expiration of the public health emergency (HIA).
• September 14, 2022 - Letter to Senate Finance Committee leadership urging the passing of the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act following it's passing in the House (MHLG)
• September 13, 2022 - Letter to Congressional leadership urging the Senate to pass the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act following it's passing in the House (HIA).
• August 18, 2022 - Thank you letter to House leadership for the passing of the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act (HR 4040) (MHLG).
• May 31, 2022 - Letter to Congressional leadership in support of increased funding for Telehealth Resource Centers (HIA).
• February 17, 2022 - Letter to Congressional leadership urging the delay of the implementation of telemental health in-person requirements as a prerequisite for coverage (MHLG).
• January 31, 2022 - Letter to Congressional leadership urging action to extend current telehealth flexibilities through the end of 2024 (HIA).
• January 21, 2022 - Letter to Congressional leadership asking to reinstate the recently expired telehealth flexibilities from the CARES Act of 2020 that allowed people to receive telehealth benefits from their employer or health plan pre-deductible (HIA).
• October 28, 2021 - Letter to governors in all 50 states asking for the maintenance and expansion of telehealth-related licensure flexibilities for the duration of the federal public health emergency, reinstating licensure flexibilities if they have expired, or implementing new flexibilities to better address patient needs during the ongoing pandemic. (HIA).
• March 3, 2021 - Reintroduction of the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act (MHLG).
• March 1, 2021 - Comment letter to House E&C Committee on telehealth describing COVID-19's impact on virtual care and providing recommendations for tele-behavioral health priorities (MHLG).
• January 19, 2021 - Letter to the Biden administration in support of extending various telehealth protections and coverage options as a priority for their first 100 days (MHLG).
• October 5, 2020 and May 22, 2020 – Letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services urging the extension of temporary telehealth services/provisions beyond the COVID-19 emergency period (MHLG).
• June 1, 2020 – Letter to Senate sponsors in support of the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act of 2020 (MHLG).
• April 30, 2020 – Letter to Congressional leadership asking for the expansion of statutory authority to the Department of Labor, in service of requiring ERISA plans to cover telehealth (MHLG).
• April 24, 2020 – Letter to Congressional leadership and Department of Labor calling for insurance coverage of telementalhealth services, and parity in that coverage (MHLG).
• March 25, 2020 – Request to the House/Senate and National Association of Insurance Commissioners to temporarily lift restrictions on telebehavioral health for all regardless of insurance plan, and ensure parity compliance, for the duration of the COVID-19 national emergency (MHLG).
• February 5, 2020 – In support of the National Telehealth Strategy and Data Advancement Act (HIA).
• October 30, 2019 – In support of the CONNECT for Health Act in the House and the Senate (HIA).

Mental Health Workforce Issues

• May 17, 2022 - In support of funding for the Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program (PSLRP) in the House and Senate (MHLG).
• April 13, 2021 - Reintroduction of the Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2021 in the House (MHLG).
• September 17, 2019 – In support of the Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2019 in the Senate (MHLG)
• July 31, 2019 – In support of the Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2019 in the House (MHLG)

Suicide Prevention

• October 5, 2022 - Letter in support of the CONtinuity in Necessary Evaluative Crisis Treatment (CONNECT) Act (HR 8391) (MHLG).
• February 18, 2022 - Letter in support for the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Implementation Act (MHLG).
• June 8, 2021 and March 16, 2021 - Reintroduction of the Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act in the Senate and House (MHLG).
• April 21, 2021 - Reintroduction of the Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act (HR 1324/S 467) in the House and Senate (MHLG).
• February 1, 2021 - In support of the Barriers to Suicide Act (HR 792) (MHLG).
• September 2020 - Letter to House and Senate leadership urging them to pass several pieces of legislation around preventing youth suicide and early intervention for youth mental health.
• July 22, 2020 and June 17, 2020 – Letter to Congressional leadership urging the passing of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, which would create “988” as the three-digit hotline number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and make mental health crisis services more readily available (MHLG).
• May 11, 2020 – Letter to Congressional leadership advocating for the inclusion of suicide prevention and youth mental health policies in the next COVID-19 package (MHLG).
• December 4, 2019 - In support of the Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act (HR 4861) in the House (MHLG).
• December 4, 2019 - In support of the Barriers to Suicide Act (HR 4309) in the House (MHLG).
• December 2, 2019 – In support of the Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act in the Senate (MHLG).

COVID-19 Response

• March 24, 2021 - In support of the American Rescue Plan Act to both Congress and President Biden (MHLG).
• March 4, 2021 - In support of the COVID-19 Mental Health Research Act (MHLG).
• March 3, 2021 - Reintroduction of the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act (MHLG).
• February 23, 2021 - Letter thanking DHHS for guidance to state governors on the ongoing public health emergency (MHLG).
• February 22, 2021 - Letter in support of the reintroduction of the TREAT Act (HR 708/S 168) in the House and the Senate (MHLG). 
• January 28, 2021 - Letter to the leaders of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittees thanking them for their significant investment in mental health and substance use programs in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 (MHLG).
• December 1, 2020 - Letter to Congress urging them to take action to address the unprecedented mental health and substance use effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (MHLG).
• November 6, 2020 - In support of the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act (HR 8283/S 4421), which would allow providers with valid licenses to practice across state lines for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic (MHLG).
• October 5, 2020 and May 22, 2020 – Letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services urging the extension of temporary telehealth services/provisions beyond the COVID-19 emergency period (MHLG).
• August 28, 2020 - Letter to Congressional leadership in support of SAMHSA appropriations as part of the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act(MHLG).
• September 30, 2020 - Letter to Senate leadership urging the passing of several House-passed youth mental health bills (MHLG).
• June 25, 2020 – Letter to Senate leadership calling for continuing the existing FMAP increase, increasing it further per the House HEROES Act, and extending the total increase through June 2021 (MHLG).
• June 22, 2020 – Letter to Senate leadership calling for the prioritization of mental health/SUD services in next COVID-19 relief package (MHLG).
• June 10, 2020 – Letter to House leadership in support of the COVID-19 Mental Health Research Act (MHLG).
• June 1, 2020 – Letter to Senate sponsors in support of the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act of 2020 (MHLG).
• May 11, 2020 – Letter to Congressional leadership advocating for the inclusion of suicide prevention and youth mental health policies in the next COVID-19 package (MHLG).
• May 6, 2020 – Letter to Congressional leadership with recommendations for mental health policy in the 4th COVID-19 package (MHLG).
• April 24, 2020 – Letter to Congressional leadership and Department of Labor calling for insurance coverage of telementalhealth services, and parity in that coverage (MHLG).
• March 25, 2020 – Request to the House/Senate and National Association of Insurance Commissioners to temporarily lift restrictions on telebehavioral health for all regardless of insurance plan, and ensure parity compliance, for the duration of the COVID-19 national emergency (MHLG).
• March 20, 2020 – Letter to Administrative and Congressional leadership outlining short- and long-term suggestions to protect and promote mental healthcare access in light of COVID-19.

Other

• August 25, 2022 - Letter calling for the integration of mental health/substance use into the new HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (MHLG).
• July 11, 2022 - Letter in support of the Improving Data Collection for Adverse Childhood Experiences Act in the Senate (MHLG).
• June 6, 2022 - Statement in response to national gun violence crisis (MHLG).
• April 11, 2022 - Appropriations Recommendations for FY2023 (MHLG).
• March 15, 2022 - Letter to House and Senate leadership in support of the Into the Light for Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Act of 2022 (HR 7073/S 3824) (MHLG).
• February 22, 2022 - Statement for the Record to the Senate Finance Committee for Hearing on Youth Mental Health (MHLG).
• February 7, 2022 - Request to include MHLG appropriations recommendations in final FY2022 budget (MHLG).
• October 12, 2021 and September 28, 2021 - In support of the Taskforce Recommending Improvements for Unaddressed Mental Perinatal & Postpartum Health (TRIUMPH) for New Moms Act in both the House (HR 4217) and Senate (S 2779) (MHLG).
• January 10, 2022 - Letter in support of the Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act (HR 5526/S 2930) (MHLG).
• September 29, 2021 - In support of the Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act (S 1902) (MHLG).
• July 22, 2021 - Letter to the Senate HELP Committee to take action and approve 9 House-passed mental health bills to help prevent suicide for all ages, enable diagnosis and treatment for substance use disorders, and overall support patients with mental health conditions (MHLG).
• May 5, 2021 - Letter to House leadership urging the passing of mental health legislation that passed out of their committee during the previous (116th) Congress, in honor of Mental Health Month (MHLG).
• April 23, 2021 - Letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committees in support of President Biden's prioritization of mental health needs in his FY2022 budget requests (MHLG).
• March 31, 2021 - Appropriations Recommendations for FY2022 (MHLG).
• March 26, 2021 - In support of the reintroduction of the Supporting Eating Disorders Recovery through Vital Expansion (SERVE) Act (MHLG). 
• March 2, 2021 - In support of the Mental Health Services for Students Act (MHLG).
• February 16, 2021 - Letter to CMS leadership urging them to work directly with states and stakeholders to update the Medicaid School Health Technical Assistance Guide and Administrative Claiming Guide.
• January 10, 2022 - In support of the Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act (HR 5526/S 2930) (MHLG).
• August 28, 2020 - In support of appropriations to SAMHSA as part of the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS)Act (MHLG)
• March 2, 2020 – Appropriations Recommendations for FY2021 (MHLG).
• October 16, 2019 – In support of the Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion (RISE) from Trauma Act in the House and the Senate (MHLG)
• September 23, 2019 – In support of the UNDERSTAND Act in the Senate (MHLG)