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American
Music Therapy Association, Inc. |
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Related Government Relations Updates |
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February 4, 2010
On Monday, February 1, 2010, President Barack Obama released the FY 2011 budget, which accounts for all budgeting through September 30, 2011. The Department of Education received significant funding increases. Specifically, a total of $49.7 billion for discretionary programs, an increase of $3.5 billion from FY2010. The President’s Education budget reflects the pending reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, evidenced by an increase in the funding streams for competitive based grants designed to “provide more flexibility, reduce red tape, and holding [people] accountable for results”. Department of Education Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Summary here: http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget10/summary/10summary.pdf The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget reflects increases in both mandatory and discretionary spending. This includes $81.3 billion in discretionary spending, $491 billion for Medicare, and $300 billion for Medicaid and SCHIP programs combined. President Obama has also proposed a reserve fund for the enactment of Health Reform which invests in developing a “long-term path to affordable, quality health care for all Americans.” Department of Health and Human Services Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Summary here: |
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Friday, January 29, 2010
Paul Wellstone, Pete Domenici Parity Act Prohibits Discrimination The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury today jointly issued new rules providing parity for consumers enrolled in group health plans who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders. "The rules we are issuing today will, for the first time, help assure that those diagnosed with these debilitating and sometimes life-threatening disorders will not suffer needless or arbitrary limits on their care," said Secretary Sebelius. "I applaud the long-standing and bipartisan effort that made these important new protections possible." "Today's rules will bring needed relief to families faced with meeting the cost of obtaining mental health and substance abuse services," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The benefits will give these Americans access to greatly needed medical treatment, which will better allow them to participate fully in society. That's not just sound policy, it's the right thing to do." "Workers covered by group health plans who need mental health and substance abuse care deserve fair treatment," said Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin. "These rules expand on existing protections to ensure that people don't face unnecessary barriers to the treatment they need." The new rules prohibit group health insurance plans-typically offered by employers-from restricting access to care by limiting benefits and requiring higher patient costs than those that apply to general medical or surgical benefits. The rules implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). MHPAEA greatly expands on an earlier law, the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 which required parity only in aggregate lifetime and annual dollar limits between the categories of benefits and did not extend to substance use disorder benefits. The new law requires that any group health plan that includes mental health and substance use disorder benefits along with standard medical and surgical coverage must treat them equally in terms of out-of-pocket costs, benefit limits and practices such as prior authorization and utilization review. These practices must be based on the same level of scientific evidence used by the insurer for medical and surgical benefits. For example, a plan may not apply separate deductibles for treatment related to mental health or substance use disorders and medical or surgical benefits-they must be calculated as one limit. MHPAEA applies to employers with 50 or more workers whose group health plan chooses to offer mental health or substance use disorder benefits. The new rules are effective for plan years beginning on or after July 1, 2010. The Wellstone-Domenici Act is named for two dominant figures in the quest for equal treatment of benefits. The late Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN), who was a vocal advocate for parity throughout his Senate career, sponsored the ultimately successful full parity act. He was joined by former Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) who first introduced legislation to require parity in 1992. Champions of the legislation also included the bipartisan team of Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and former Representative Jim Ramstad (R-MN). The issue of parity dates back over 40 years to President John F. Kennedy, and was also supported by President Clinton and the late Senator Edward Kennedy. The interim final rules released today were developed based on the departments' review of more than 400 public comments on how the parity rule should be written. Comments on the interim final rules are still being solicited. Sections where further comments are being specifically sought include so-called "non quantitative" treatment limits such as those that pertain to the scope and duration of covered benefits, how covered drugs are determined (formularies), and the coverage of step-therapies. Comments are also being specifically requested on the regulation's section on "scope of benefits" or continuum of care. Comments on the interim final regulation are due 90 days after the publication date. Comments may be emailed to the federal rulemaking portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. Comments directed to HHS should include the file code CMS-4140-IFC. Comments to the Department of Labor should be identified by RIN 1210-AB30. Comments to the Treasury's Internal Revenue Service should be identified by REG-120692-09. Comments may be sent to any of the three departments and will be shared with the other departments. Please do not submit duplicates. |
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Message from Assistant Secretary for
Aging Kathy Greenlee on National Family Caregivers Month, November
2009
I join President Obama in celebrating National Family Caregivers month. Every day, in every state and community caregivers assist friends, relatives, and loved ones with daily tasks, including personal care and homemaking as well as more complex health-related interventions like medication administration and wound care. These selfless, dedicated individuals are the backbone of America's long term care system. The Administration on Aging (AoA) is firmly committed to supporting family caregivers. Caregivers across the lifespan must have access to services and supports designed to safeguard their health and emotional well being while offering protections against some of the financial burdens often associated with caregiving. Additionally, caregivers must have access to coordinated systems of services and supports designed to meet their needs at the time they arise. The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and the recent implementation of the Lifespan Respite Care Program have positioned AoA, the Aging Network and the broader home and community-based services network to ensure that caregivers are supported in their daily efforts to keep their loved ones at home, in the community and avoid more costly and restrictive institutional settings. I am committed to working with our Aging Network and other partners at the Federal, state and local levels to improve the quality of life for our nation's caregivers across the lifespan. I encourage all of you to participate in the numerous events across the country to celebrate and acknowledge the selfless dedication and commitment of family caregivers. To read the Presidential proclamation, please visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamations-national-family-caregivers-month |
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The U.S. Department of Education
website has posted guidance
documents regarding the use of funds
from the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (economic stimulus
funds).
There are Fact Sheets and Guidance
for several issues related to education, including: Title I;
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA); Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B; IDEA Part C;
Vocational Rehabilitation; Independent Living; and the State
Stabilization Fund.
Although music therapists are not
able to directly apply for or access ARRA funds designated for
education, it is beneficial to understand how states and
districts are being directed to utilize ARRA funds to maintain
and improve education services. Knowledge of ARRA support will
assist music therapists advocate for quality services for all
students.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is designed to help stimulate the economy and encourage recovery from the recession. A substantial portion of the funding will go towards state fiscal stabilization, which will help states prevent cuts to health and human services programs, stimulate employment, avoid layoffs, and support special and regular education. Online Resources
www.recovery.gov
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/arra.pdf
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery
http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/statefundsmap.html
http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/fmapprocess.html
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Administration on Aging (AoA)
The latest edition of the AoA eNewsletter is posted online. You
can read the October eNews in its entirety by clicking on:
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| AMTA is a 501(c)3
non-profit organization and accepts contributions which
support its mission. Contributions are tax deductible as
allowed by law. Copyright © 2009, American Music Therapy Association. |