Unite for Behavioral Health Biweekly Advocacy Webinar Series Webinar #14 National Council for Behavioral Health July 19, 2017
Webinar Logistics We recommend calling in on your telephone Phone:1-213-929-4212 Access Code: 291-767-755 For audio support: 888-259-8414 To ask a question, please use the questions dialogue box on the right hand side of the screen.
This week in Washington Senate pulls BCRA from consideration. Leader McConnell (R-KY) promises clean repeal vote in the very near future. President Trump says he will let Obamacare fail and then come together and do a great healthcare plan. House of Representatives moving forward on FY2018 funding. Preserving key programs like Mental Health First Aid and integration grants!
How we got here As of Monday MORNING, July 17 Declared No on Proceeding Rand Paul, KY Susan Collins, ME Undecided on Proceeding/BCRA Lisa Murkowski, AK Jeff Flake, AZ Cory Gardner, CO Jerry Moran, KS Bill Cassidy, LA Dean Heller, NV Rob Portman, OH Ted Cruz, TX Mike Lee, UT Ron Johnson, WI Shelley Moore Capito, WV 3 Republican No votes likely stops the bill in the Senate.
How we got here As of Monday EVENING, July 17 Declared No on Proceeding Jerry Moran, KS Rand Paul, KY Susan Collins, ME Mike Lee, UT Undecided on Proceeding/BCRA Lisa Murkowski, AK Jeff Flake, AZ Cory Gardner, CO Jerry Moran, KS Bill Cassidy, LA Dean Heller, NV Rob Portman, OH Ted Cruz, TX Mike Lee, UT Ron Johnson, WI Shelley Moore Capito, WV 3 Republican No votes likely stops the bill in the Senate.
NEW PLAN: Repeal and Delay As of Tuesday MORNING, July 18 The Senate will vote to take up the House bill with the first amendment in order being what a majority of the Senate has already supported in 2015 and that was vetoed by then-president Obama: a repeal of Obamacare with a two-year delay to provide for a stable transition period to a patient-centered health care system... Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) July 18, 2017
2015 ACA Repeal Bill Repealed Medicaid expansion: both population expansion to 138% FPL and the enhanced federal match rate. Ended federal government authority to run health care exchanges in state, leaving consumers without options Repealed federal subsidies to individuals to purchase insurance in the marketplace. CBO Score of 2015 Repeal Bill from Jan. 2017: 32 million lose health care coverage by 2026, 100% premium increase by 2026, 75 percent of Americans living in place with no marketplace insurers.
GOP Opposition to New Plan As of Tuesday AFTERNOON, July 18 Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) all publicly stated their opposition to the proposed repeal and delay strategy. My position on this issue is driven by its impact on West Virginians. I cannot vote to repeal Obamacare without a replacement plan that addresses the needs of West Virginians. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (WV) I cannot vote to proceed to repeal the Affordable Care Act without reform that allows people the choice they want, the affordability they need and the quality they deserve. Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK)
NEW-ER PLAN: Hold ACA Repeal Vote, Move-on As of TODAY, July 19
The Latest from Capitol Hill Catherine Finley, Partner, Guide Consulting Services Jay Ruais, Chief Operating Officer, Addiction Policy Forum
Time for advocacy is NOW Click here to get started!
Our message remains the same Preserve Medicaid and protect mental health and addiction care. The truth is simple: when we fail to fund mental health and addiction treatment services, we all pay for it. We pay for it in uncompensated care, increased costs to the corrections and legal system and increased disruption in the lives of individuals and families who are unable to access the care they need to live successfully in their community. May 4, 2017 Grants are not a substitute for health coverage. We don t rely on grants for the treatment of heart disease or cancer, and addiction and mental health should be no different. June 22, 2017 New language can t cover up old problems. The latest version of the Senate health bill is no less disastrous than its predecessor. July 14, 2017
Your advocacy message Both the Better Care Reconciliation Act and straight repeal would have a devastating impact on people with mental illness or addiction. If your Senator opposed BCRA/Repeal: THANK YOU for opposing this bill. I appreciate all that you do for our state and urge you to stand firm! If your Senator was wavering/undecided: Thank you for voicing your concerns, and please oppose any future version of this bill that includes cuts to Medicaid and essential health benefits. If your Senator supported BCRA/Repeal: Please keep in mind the devastating impact these proposals would have on our state and oppose any future version that includes cuts to Medicaid and essential health benefits.
Stay Engaged Next Advocacy Webinar Wednesday, August 2 nd 3 PM ET Register here.
Questions? Rebecca Farley David Vice President, Policy and Advocacy RebeccaF@thenationalcouncil.org Michael Petruzzelli Manager, Policy and Advocacy MichaelP@thenationalcouncil.org