FAPE Case Draws Flurry Of Attention
The Integration Edge from the SAMHSA-HRSA CIHS
The Integration Edge is a new resource from the SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions (CIHS) that outlines practical tips and examples from organizations that have been working to integrate primary and behavioral health care. CIHS has been exploring partnerships, confidentiality issues, and sharing information and data-driven care. CIHS will regularly update The Integration Edge with new topics and practical examples. Whole person, health care focused practitioners and provider organizations looking for additional advice or with a topic they would like to see highlighted can visit this new website or contact CIHS by phone 202-684-7457 or email.
Know about the latest topics as they are added to The Integration Edge when you sign up for the email as the center adds new topics and other news related to integration.
Kennedy Urges Insurance Action in Support of Surgeon General’s Report
Patrick Kennedy, former United States Representative and founder of the Kennedy Forum, has issued an open letter to the heads of the leading insurance companies in response to the findings of last week’s Surgeon General’s report. The report, Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, addresses a broad array of issues, ranging from illicit drug abuse to prescription drug addiction, alcohol use, binge drinking, and teen alcoholism. Mr. Kennedy’s letter urges the commercial nation’s health industry to take action in five key areas:
- Eliminate the onerous medical management practices responsible for inadequate, ineffective treatment of addiction;
- Immediately ensure that all plans cover and reimburse for well-supported medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including buprenorphine, buprenorphine-naloxone, buprenorphine-hydrochloride, methadone, naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, at rates equal to coverage for medications used to treat other forms of chronic illness;
- Incentivize greater coordination of care;
- Adequately disclose processes for ensuring parity compliance;
- Promote screening and work with communities to implement prevention interventions.
Each of these requests is clarified in further detail in the letter. Patrick Kennedy was the prime sponsor of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 and author of the book, A Common Struggle (Blue Rider Press/Penguin Random House, 2015).
Judge Halts Implementation of Overtime Rule
Yesterday, a Texas federal judge issued a temporary injunction to the Department of Labor’s (DOL) overtime rule. In granting the preliminary injunction, the federal judge said the DOL’s overtime rule exceeds the authority the agency was granted by Congress.
As you may recall, the DOL’s overtime rule was announced in May, and it has been opposed by many businesses and nonprofits. The rule was to take effect on December 1 of this year. Now with yesterday’s ruling, it is likely that President-elect Trump’s administration, which opposed the rule, will have time to review it and make changes and/or roll back various provisions contained in the current rule.
The DOL could appeal the Tuesday ruling, but with the Obama administration only having approximately two months in office, an appeal is unlikely. With many RCPA members already implementing and announcing changes to comply with the DOL’s overtime rule, it might be difficult for those members to roll back these changes, because it may impact employee morale. As further information is released, RCPA will provide additional guidance to members. Please contact Jack Phillips, RCPA Director of Government Affairs with any questions.
Along the Autism Spectrum, a Path Through Campus Life
Smartphone app for Early Autism Detection Being Developed by UB Undergrad
Election day Hotline Flyer for Voters with Disabilities
ReelAbilities Film Festival Showcases a Wide Range of People Living With Disabilities
Children’s Champions — Thank you for This Privilege!
My Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Fellow Children’s Champions:
Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare & Medicaid Providers Released
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule in the September 16, 2016 Federal Register that establishes national emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare and Medicaid participating providers and suppliers to plan adequately for both natural and man-made disasters, and coordinate with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local emergency preparedness systems. It will also assist providers and suppliers to adequately prepare to meet the needs of patients, residents, clients, and participants during disasters and emergency situations. The effective date of the regulations are effective on November 15, 2016.
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