Action Alerts and Legislative Updates
Hurricane
Evacuees May Be Housed at Other Low-Income Families' Expense
September 28, 2005—Updated news: On September 23, the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a new program to house
victims of Hurricane Katrina. HUD officials said that they
would fund the program with the new, supplemental funds provided by Congress
for hurricane relief. Days later, HUD has sent legislation to Congress
asking that their remaining FY '05 and '06 housing funds be diverted to
pay for hurricane housing, rather than pre-hurricane housing needs.
Ask
Senators to Vote No on Roberts
September 21,2005 --After careful review of Judge John
Roberts’ answers during the four days of Senate hearings on his nomination to
be Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, the Bazelon Center for Mental
Health Law has no choice but to oppose his nomination. We already had very
serious concerns about Judge Roberts’ expressed positions on disability rights,
and his responses to Senators’ questions did nothing to allay our
fears.
Critical
Medicaid Support for Katrina Victims
Recognizing the desperate needs for mental health services of many thousands
of people dispossessed by Hurricane Katrina, Congress postponed its consideration
of Medicaid cuts until mid-October and a bipartisan group of Senators has introduced
emergency health care relief legislation. The Grassley-Baucus Emergency Health
Care Relief Act uses Medicaid to meet the needs of Katrina survivors. (9-20-05)
Congress
Delays Budget Review in Wake of Katrina
September 9, 2005 – In the face of Gulf Coast devastation,
a bipartisan group of Senators this week condemned efforts to
weaken the federal safety- net
program that provides health care to vulnerable populations and called for
Congress to focus instead on the short- and long-term needs of
Hurricane Katrina victims.
The House and Senate have agreed to postpone reconciliation until Mid October.
Calls
to lawmakers are still important.
Act
Now to Save Critical Medicaid Services
September 1,2005- Congress returns from its August recess on Tuesday, September
6 poised to make decisions on Medicaid that will have a far-reaching impact on
all state and local mental health services. The Administration has proposed changes
to Medicaid that would have a crippling effect on the provision of community
mental health services for children and adults. Call key Senators today!
Proposed
Federal Regulations Endanger Students with Disabilities
August
30, 2005 – The Department of Education invites public comment
on draft regulations for implementing the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Improvement Act, signed into law by the President at
the end of last year. The Act (P.L. 108-446) reauthorized the
federal
special
education law (IDEA) that gives children with disabilities the
right to a free and appropriate public education. Comments on
the regulations
must be submitted by 5 pm on September 6.
Action Needed to Stem Loss of Housing
August
22, 2005—Critical housing resources for low-income people are again
at risk as Congress works to cut spending. Protections against discrimination
based on disability are also threatened. Lawmakers need your support
to resist the Bush Administration’s efforts to cut funding and
roll back legal protections in current housing programs.
Urge Congress
to Reject the Administration's Proposed Changes to Medicaid Law August
18, 2005 Action Alert -- The Bush Administration has just sent Congress
proposed language to amend the definitions of Medicaid rehabilitation
and targeted case management services, two core elements of public
community mental health systems. The changes, if enacted, could make
it impossible
for states and localities to bill Medicaid for intensive community-based
services for adults with serious mental illness and children with
serious
mental or emotional disorders.
Update on Mental
Health-Related Legislation
August 10, 2005—Congress has adjourned for its
annual August break, to resume work September 6 on budget reconciliation,
appropriations and other bills. The recess offers an excellent
opportunity to call on Senators and Representatives in their states
and districts
and explain how important their votes on these measures will be
for children and adults with mental disorders.
Roberts
Nomination
Poses Threat for People with Disabilities
August 2, 2005—The
nomination of John Roberts for the Supreme Court vacancy created
by Justice O’Connor’s retirement poses
serious concerns for people with disabilities.
In hearings scheduled to begin September 6, the Senate Judiciary Committee
will question Roberts about his record. The committee’s members and
all Senators need to learn more about his views on civil rights with disabilities
before being asked to confirm his nomination to the Supreme Court.
Ask Senators to Fund Housing Programs
Adequately
July 7, 2005—On June 30th, members of the House of Representatives
responded to your calls and emails to restore funding and programs
for low-income housing
that the Administration wanted eliminated (see our June
14 Action Alert). The programs remain at risk, however, when the Senate
considers the Administration’s proposed housing budget on July 12-14.
Your further efforts will be critical. Take Action Now...
What Justice
O'Connor's Resignation Means for Disability Rights
July
7, 2005—Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was nominated to
the Supreme Court by President Reagan with an eye toward consensus
among the political parties. She was confirmed by the Senate in a 99-0 vote.
We hope President Bush will similarly choose a consensus nominee to
replace
her. Take Action Now...
House Level-Funds Most Community Mental
Health Programs
June 29, 2005— The House
of Representatives on June 24 passed an appropriations bill (H.R.
3010) for fiscal year 2006 funding Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA) programs and services. Members essentially
ignored the need for more dollars to meet the increased treatment
needs of children and adults with serious mental illnesses. Take
Action Now...
Act Now to Save Housing Resources!
June 14, 2005 – The House Subcommittee responsible for allocating
funds to federal housing programs will make their decisions tomorrow,
Wednesday, June
15. At risk are thousands of rental vouchers, operating funds for Housing
Authorities and financial support for nonprofit housing providers throughout
the country. Take
Action Now...
The New Asylums
May 9, 2005—Tomorrow night, PBS’s Frontline program turns the national
spotlight on a disturbing trend: How, each year, thousands of Americans with
mental illnesses cycle in out of the criminal and juvenile justice system, punished
for the mental health system’s failure to provide crucial services and
supports that can help them lead more successful lives in the community. Before
you see the show, do something to help solve the problem. Take
Action Now...
Slash and Burn Budget Clears Congress
April 29, 2005—Last night,
the Congress approved its budget resolution, which sets spending guidelines
for fiscal year 2006. Its approval clears
the way for billions in cuts to the Medicaid program, the single
most significant source of public financing for mental health services,
and for freezing spending on other domestic discretionary programs,
including
mental health programs, for three years. Read
the Update...
Tell Harry Reid: Don’t
Back Down
April 27,2005—Senate majority leader Bill Frist made clear yesterday
that he’s
willing to go against the weight of public opinion to push through
radical judicial nominees like Terrence Boyle and Bill Pryor. The Bazelon
Center
and ADA Watch/the National Coalition for Disability Rights need your
help to urge minority leader Harry Reid to stand just as strongly against
confirmation of these judicial activists. Take Action Now...
Medicaid Matters: You Did
It! But You’re Not Done Yet...
April 27,2005—Thanks to your efforts, lawmakers last night
voted overwhelmingly to urge House negotiators to strike Medicaid
cuts from
the final budget resolution. Unfortunately, the attacks on crucial
services and supports for people with mental or psychiatric disabilities
are coming
fast and furiously, and we still need your help! Take Action Now...
Medicaid Matters
April 26, 2005—Last month, you helped secure a Senate victory
on Medicaid. Now the Bazelon Center needs your help to stop a slash
and burn budget resolution in the House that would make deep and indiscriminate
cuts to Medicaid. Take Action Now...
Illini, Fight for Rights!
April 26, 2005—Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is well known as
a defender of the rights of people with disabilities, but his comments
yesterday raise the
specter that he may waver in the fight to block Senate confirmation of radical
judges who have undermined bedrock civil rights protections for tens of millions
of Americans with mental and physical disabilities. Help us remind Senator
Durbin that now is no time to compromise disability rights for political
expediency. Take
Action Now...
Beat Back a Double-Barreled Assault on Disability Rights
April 22, 2005—The stage is set for a double-barreled assault
on the rights of tens of millions Americans with disabilities as early
as
next week. Once again, the Bazelon Center and ADA Watch/National Coalition
for Disability Rights need your help to stop the confirmation of two
radical judges whose decisions have undermined bedrock civil rights
laws that protect people with disabilities from discrimination. Take Action
Now...
People with Disabilities Deserve Their Day in Court
April 20, 2005—Tomorrow the Senate Judiciary Committee will likely
vote on the controversial nomination of Terrence Boyle to the Fourth
Circuit Court of Appeals. The Bazelon Center and ADA Watch/National
Coalition for Disability Rights need your help to stop Boyle cold. Take Action
Now...
Just Say No to Reckless Medicaid Cuts
(March 15, 2005)—The Bazelon Center urgently needs your help to
block indiscriminate and irresponsible cuts to the Medicaid program—the
nation’s single most significant source of financing for mental
health services. Take Action Now...
Get Steamed Over Boyle
(Feb. 24, 2005)-We need your help to defend the rights of Americans with
mental and physical disabilities. On Thursday, March 3rd, the Senate
Judiciary Committee will hold hearings on the confirmation of Terrence
Boyle, a
judicial nominee with a record
of ruling against civil rights protections for people with disabilities.
If confirmed, this judicial activist would have a lifetime appointment
to undermine laws protecting tens of millions of Americans with disabilities.
Take Action Now...
Tell Lawmakers: "Hands
Off Help for People with Mental Disabilities!"
(2/4/05)—The Bush Administration is considering drastic changes to Medicaid
and Social Security, two programs that are critically important to millions of
Americans with mental disabilities. Let your lawmakers know that you oppose any "reform" that
comes at the expense of people with mental illnesses and other disabilities. Take
Action Now...
Urge Your Representative and Senators
to Sign on as an Original Co-Sponsor of the Keeping Families Together
Act
(2/4/05)—Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and other sponsors of the Keeping
Families Together Act plan to re-introduce the bill this session. Ask your
Senators and Representative to sign on as original co-sponsors of this important
legislation. Take Action Now...
Urge Your Senators to Pass the Family
Opportunity Act
(2/4/05)—The Bush Administration is considering drastic changes to Medicaid
and Social Security, two programs that are critically important to millions
of Americans with mental disabilities. Let your lawmakers know that you oppose
any "reform" that comes at the expense of people with mental illnesses
and other disabilities. Take Action Now...
Take Action to End Juvenile Injustice in California
(Jan. 26, 2005)—Hundreds of California children are warehoused
in juvenile detention centers awaiting access to scare community mental
health services, according to a new Congressional report. We need your
help to put an end to this barbaric practice and help children access
the help they need.
Help Keep Ohio Families Together
(Jan. 26, 2005)—You can help put
an end to the cruel choice faced by hundreds of Ohio families: give
up custody
of their
child
to
obtain
state-funded mental health services or forgo the help their child
needs.
Protect Disability Rights in the Courts
(Jan. 19, 2005)—The Bazelon
Center needs your help to prevent Senate confirmation of two controversial
judicial
nominees
with
a record
of arguing to limit civil rights protections for people with disabilities!
Legislative Update: Mental
Health Hits and Misses in 108th Congress
December 20, 2004 —The short post-election session brought
the 108th Congress to a close with some hits and misses in mental
health legislation. Advocates
praised recent enactment of grant programs for suicide prevention and criminal
justice diversion, and new mental health funding, and secured protections in
renewal of the special education law. Dismaying, however, were congressional
shrugs on mental health parity legislation, bills to prevent custody relinquishment,
and opportunities to assist a failing public mental health system and address
adverse outcomes that result from unmet mental health treatment needs.
Recent Alerts and Updates
Interested in past alerts from the Bazelon Center? View
the Alerts archive.
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