Need-to-Know News: Feb. 10, 2012

Updates from Us

The leading story in the Feb. 13 edition of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly features comments from the Coalition for Whole Health on the Essential Health Benefits Bulletin issued by the Department of Health and Human Services in December. Follow this link to read the comments from the Coalition, which LAC co-chairs.

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• Headlines on Our Issues
• From Our Partners

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Need-to-Know News: Feb. 3, 2012

Updates from Us

LAC State Policy Director Tracie M. Gardner testified before the Joint Public Hearing on Public Protection this week to present the recommendations of the NY ATI/Reentry Coalition. Read the full recommendations here, or see video of the hearing. The New York Observer is featuring a profile of LAC Board Member Doug Liman in anticipation of his new show on MTV.

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• Headlines on Our Issues
• From Our Partners

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LAC Testifying in Albany on Criminal Justice Budget Today

LAC State Policy Director Tracie M. Gardner is in Albany today, testifying before the Joint Public Hearing on Public Protection. As a leader in the NY ATI/Reentry Coalition, LAC is presenting the coalition's recommendations on the criminal justice portion of Governor Cuomo's budget proposal.

See live video of the hearing here.

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Need-to-Know News: Jan. 27, 2012

Updates from Us

Finalized its recommendations to fully include mental health and substance use disorder services within the Essential Health Benefits framework of the Affordable Care Act. If your organization would like to sign on to the recommendations, please contact Sherie Boyd at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Drafted comments on the Essential Health Benefits Bulletin released by the Department of Health and Human Services last month. To sign on to the comments, please contact Sherie Boyd at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) before the Jan. 31 deadline; we also encourage you to use our comments as a template to submit your own. Submitted a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius — on behalf of more than 75 national, state and local groups in the SUD and MH communities — asking for the data HHS used to develop the Essential Health Benefit Bulletin, and for more time for organizations to provide comment.

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• Headlines on Our Issues
• From Our Partners

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Need-to-Know News: Jan. 20, 2012

Updates from Us

After an analysis of Governor Andrew Cuomo's new budget plan, we were pleased to issue a statement this week supporting the proposal as a sensible path for New York State in answering the needs of people with HIV, people with addiction and mental health issues, and people involved in the criminal justice system.

Also in this issue:

• Headlines on Our Issues
• From Our Partners

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Analyzing Governor’s Budget, LAC Finds Much to Praise

NEW YORK, January 18, 2012 -- The Legal Action Center is pleased to support Governor Andrew Cuomo's budget plan for 2012-2013, which provides a sensible path for New York State to meet the needs of people with HIV, people with addiction and mental health issues, and people involved in the criminal justice system.

After an analysis of the budget proposal, released yesterday, LAC is pleased to report that the governor has closed an estimated $3.5 billion deficit without significant reductions or cuts in criminal justice, addiction or HIV services.

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LAC Praises Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2012 State of the State Address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tracie Gardner Director of NYS Policy (212) 243-1313 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

NEW YORK, January 4, 2012 – The Legal Action Center (LAC) applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo for his leadership in championing smart, compassionate and cost effective approaches to the needs of people with HIV, people with addiction and mental health issues, and people involved in the criminal justice system.

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