Archive for the ‘Public Policy’ Category

Behavioral Health News Spotlight on Excellence: An Interview with Jihoon Kim, CEO of InUnity Alliance

Overview In this interview, Jorge R. Petit, Founder/CEO of Quality Healthcare Solutions, LLC, speaks with Jihoon Kim, CEO of InUnity Alliance (asapnys.org / coalitionny.org). Jihoon discusses his strategic vision and priorities for addressing the growing mental health and addiction crisis in New...

NYSPA Report – Chronic Pain and Behavioral Health: Underlying Data and Regulatory Responses

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines chronic pain as pain lasting more than three months that can result from an underlying medical disease or condition, injury, medical treatment, inflammation, or unknown cause.1 Studies find a strong correlation between pain and mental...

New York Health Equity Reform: A Transformative Shift in New York’s Medicaid Landscape

On January 9, 2024, New York’s Department of Health received its long-awaited amendment to our Medicaid 1115 demonstration, newly rebranded NYHER (NY Health Equity Reform). It’s not as flashy nor as generously funded as the special purpose DSRIP (Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment)...

Governor Hochul Launches $102 Million Effort to Expand Care and Treatment for New Yorkers with Serious Mental Illness

$92 Million to Develop 26 Teams Providing "Critical Time Intervention" for Discharged Patients Receiving Mental Health Care Services $10 Million to Expand 'Safe Options Support' Initiative Which Has Successfully Moved Nearly 390 Long-Term Homeless New Yorkers Into Stable Housing ...

Revolutionizing Healthcare: The Future of Integrated Care for All

In a landmark move, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through CMS, announced on January 19, 2024 the Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model. This initiative is a game-changer in healthcare, especially for underserved and marginalized communities where health disparities...

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $36.9 Million in Behavioral Health Funding Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced on February 26 $36.9 million in notices of funding opportunities for grant programs supporting behavioral health services across the U.S. These grant...

Game-Changers: Expanding Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment in 2024

Substance use disorders (SUD) and overdose deaths remain a serious public health concern: prevalence rates, particularly opioids and fentanyl, and the provisional data on drug overdose deaths continue to climb. These statistics underscore the importance of prevention and access to treatment for...

Expanding Permanent Supportive Housing is Essential to Robust Social Safety Net

The current housing climate leaves millions of Americans at risk of housing instability or homelessness – and it is those who are living with mental and physical health challenges that are the most vulnerable. As communities battle the ever-escalating “cost-of-living” and a rising economic...

When the Unexpected Happens: The Importance of Policies and Procedures

Providing specialized consultation in the field of addiction treatment risk management is an essential function of our organization. We see firsthand that providers supporting the treatment and recovery of substance use play a critical role in maintaining the safety of each individual seeking care...

“Decriminalization” is Misconceived: Towards Improved Drug Policy

Recent reports about the problems that have emerged with Oregon’s experiment in the decriminalization of drugs have rekindled debate about this approach to reducing the damage that results from the current policy of criminalizing illegal substances. I tilt against decriminalization as currently...