(March 20, 2017) “The Treatment Advocacy Center has never been more active on more fronts than it is today…. We see all across the country, from states to the federal level, opportunities to help those most in need. We know that this is really our moment to shape the mental health conversation for generations to come,” said John Snook, Treatment Advocacy Center executive director, during our State of the Union conference call last week.
John led the virtual meeting with Frankie Berger, director of advocacy. Together, they provided a review of our work over the last year and priorities for the one ahead. John and Frankie outlined where the Treatment Advocacy Center is focusing its energy, identified state and federal opportunities for growth, and suggested how advocates can help.
Advocacy efforts in the states abound, including in Colorado, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. We celebrate progress in Kentucky as its Senate passed a Tim’s Law, which makes the assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) statute a better tool to help people with serious mental illness.
At the federal level, we are focused on the implementation of key provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act, including funding AOT efforts and clarifying HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). We are also monitoring criminal justice reform and attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Listen to the call in its entirety here.
To comment, please visit our Facebook page.