LEGAL ACTION CENTER - Our Analysis of Governor Cuomo’s 2012-2013 Budget

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

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

January 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.

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Need-to-Know News: Nov. 4, 2011

November 04, 2011

Updates from Us

The National H.I.R.E. Network is teaming up with the National Employment Law Project (NELP), and the Sentencing Project to offer the webinar "Model State Legislation to Reduce Employment Barriers for People with Criminal Records" on Nov. 22. Follow this link to register now.

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Need-to-Know News: Oct. 28, 2011

October 28, 2011

Updates from Us

A big thanks to all of you who made the 2011 Arthur Liman Public Interest Awards Benefit a record-breaking event, both in attendance and in the total raised to support LAC's critical work. Follow this link to read the full story on the benefit, or make your gift today!
Policy experts from our National HIRE Network will be featured at the Drug Policy Alliance's International Drug Policy Reform Conference. Use these links to read more about the sessions, including "Making Sense of Drug Testing" on Nov. 3, and "Stemming the Tide in the States: TANF Drug Testing Bills" on Nov. 4.

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Need-to-Know News: Oct. 21, 2011

October 21, 2011

Updates from Us

In a letter recently published in The New York Times, LAC Director and President Paul N. Samuels discusses the ways that requiring drug testing of state aid recipients hurts families and taxpayers.
Federal Action Alert: As we reported earlier this week, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is collecting public comment before shaping the final rules on the health insurance exchanges created by the new health care reform law. We need you to submit comments by Oct. 31 on the importance of addressing mental health and substance use disorders in the strongest way possible. Follow this link for our full action alert, which includes a sample model letter.
Reminder: Our 2011 Arthur Liman Public Interest Awards Benefit is coming up Tuesday, Oct. 25. Purchase tickets or make your gift today!

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Need-to-Know News: Oct. 14, 2011

October 14, 2011

Updates from Us

As we excitedly reported yesterday, Philanthropedia at GuideStar, the leading guide for donors to identify worthy charities, has named us one of the leading criminal justice advocates in the nation! Follow this link to read our full press release on this incredible recognition.
Reminder: Less than two weeks to go until our 2011 Arthur Liman Public Interest Awards Benefit, coming up on Oct. 25. Purchase tickets or make your gift today!
Monday's issue of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly features LAC Director Paul N. Samuels commenting on the Institute of Medicine's report to the Department of Health and Human Services on the Essential Health Benefits package. Mr. Samuels, who co-chairs the Coalition for Whole Health, stressed that the group would continue to push for strong coverage of substance use disorders and mental health.

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Need-to-Know News: Oct. 7, 2011

October 07, 2011

Updates from Us

Monday's issue of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly taps the expertise of LAC Director and President Paul N. Samuels in an article on the future of OASAS. Mr. Samuels stressed that despite the uncertainty in New York, Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez "is providing leadership to ensure the redesigned Medicaid system will effectively address substance use disorders as well as mental health."
LAC's Legal Director, Sally Friedman, presented highlights from our soon-to-be released report, "Legality of Denying Access to Medication Assisted Treatment in the Criminal Justice System," at a meeting convened by SAMHSA on Oct. 6 Stay tuned for more on the report.
Reminder: Purchase your tickets now for the Legal Action Center's 2011 Arthur Liman Public Interest Awards Benefit, coming up on Oct. 25.

Congrats to LAC State Policy Director Tracie
Gardner (center, with Claire Simon, left, and
Kymsha Henry), whose HIV/AIDS work was
honored at YWCHAC's WE SPEAK Awards.

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