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2002 Advocacy News

2001 Advocacy News

2002 Alerts

	We need you in DC...
	2002 CMHS Year in Review: Discrimination and Stigma.
	2002 CMHS Year in Review: Regional Consumer Meetings.
	2002 CMHS Year in Review: Consumer Survivor Issues.
	2002 CMHS Year in Review: Consumer Affairs Activities.
	Election reform legislation.
	Bush's new medicare proposal.
	Sutton Hearing set for Jan. 14, 2003
	A misleading Sutton petition is being circulated which may confuse you.
	Loss of advocates Doug Martin and Drew Batavia.
	Schizophrenia Drug-free Crisis Center director suffers harassment.
	The Oregonian recently published a three-day investigative series on deaths in the mental health system, but omited voices of consumers and survivors.
	Action alert: Help needed to oppose Sutton nomination.
	Grants available for homeless shelter programs.
	NAMI StigmaBusters Alert - December, 2002.
	Congress Adjourns for Election Campaign Season Without Acting on Mental Illness Insurance Parity Bill or Funding for Research and Services Programs; Post-Election "Lame Duck" Session Expected.
	Senator Domenici pledged to make passage of the "Paul Wellstone Memorial Parity for Mental Illness Bill" his top priority when Congress reconvenes early next year.
	Clients gathered in a Protest of Silence at the 15th Annual Research Conference sponsored by the New York State Office of Mental Health on Dec. 3, 2002.
	Advocacy challenges for the 108th Congress.

	State Budget Cuts Hurting Disabled.
	Financing Mental Health Services.
	13th Anniversary of the ADA: Promise Still Unfulfilled - House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer.
	Justin Dart - One Year Later.
	Changing Child Psychiatric Policy: A Success Story - John Breeding, PhD.
	Life, Death and Discrimination - the story behind Timothy's Law.
	Suggestions for Olmstead Implementation.
	The response of field leaders to the interim report of the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health has been positive.
	A number of states recently announced or threatened cutbacks in their Medical Assistance programs. Disability advocates can fight these cutbacks, at least to the extent the cutbacks also violate the ADA, Section 504 and the federal Medical Assistance (Medicaid) statute.
	The National Council on Disability released its 2001 annual National Disability Policy: A Progress Report, on July 26, 2002.

	Your support for the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act of 2002 is needed to enhance and further research into paralysis, and rehabilitation. (Legislative Update)
	The mildest words to describe the October 13th 60 MINUTES segment linking the sniper killings and severe mental illnesses are "irresponsible journalism."
	Budget advocacy training opportunity...
	A&E investigative reporting episodes.
	The Supreme Court agreed to consider more limits on lawsuits by the disabled, this time involving a state medical board's refusal to license a mentally ill doctor.
	A New Jersey project to create a network for Hispanics with mentally ill family members.
	NAMI StigmaBusters for October...
	Halloween Stigma re-appears....
	The film, Bowling for Columbine,  is, first and foremost, a devastating indictment of the violence that is done in our name for profit and power -- and no one, in all the advance screenings I have attended, has left the theatre with anything short of rage.
	NAMI is attempting to force changes in the current version of the "Our Lady of Peace Act" to address concerns raised about provisions in the bill that would erode the privacy of individual's mental illness treatment status and reinforce existing stigma regarding people with mental illness. Round-table discussion.
	A new article supporting a move away from coercive treatment has been published in a newsletter of the National Association of State Mental Health Program directors.
	Houses passes medical malpractice bill.
	ADHD Hearing - Are children being over-medicated? -  NAMI blasts this hearing.
	The Family Opportunity Act needs your support - update Sept. 24, 2002.
	Support disability housing bill,  HR 3995, the Housing Affordability for America Act of 2002.
	NAMI StigmaBusters Alert - September, 2002.
	Senate Finance Committee Medicare package includes discriminatory provision of 50% copayment for outpatient mental health treatment services.
	National Empowerment Center, National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse and CONTAC funding for FY 2003 at risk.
	Advocacy needed for HHS-Labor Appropriations Bill for FY 2003.
	NAMI legislative priorities for 2002.
	Judge Dennis Shedd, a Bush nominee to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, has a striking record of hostility toward civil rights and the rights of the disabled.
	NAMI comments to the Federal Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services on the recent report of the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education.
	Federal legislative update - August 2002.
	It is scary when a quiz to determine your child may be autistic does not differ significantly from the normal range of childhood behaviors.
	Your support for Senate bill S 2848 is needed.   It will remove the medicare homebound rule for severely disabled people, so that they are not imprisoned in their own homes.
	Medicaid has a bias towards funding institutional care, while we know that home based care is more desirable and less expensive - National Governor's Association. Write Tom Scully, the Administrator of the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Services on the Medicare Homebound restriction.
	On July 31, 2002, the Senate completed prescription drug legislation action, without agreeing on a plan to expand the Medicare program to add coverage of prescription drugs.
	A coalition of over 135 national, state, and local organizations, announced its strong support for H.R. 5241, the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2002.
	New Homebound Rule program instruction is too restrictive and inprisions the disabled.
	Submit your comments to the President's New Freedom Commission.
	Call for reports of discrimination against people with substance use disorders.
	Contact your Senators and push for Medicare prescription drug legislation that meets the needs of  beneficiaries with severe mental illnesses by supporting HR 4954, HR 599, S 841, S 690 and HR 1522.
	Contact your Senators to support the Family Opportunity Act which just passed favorably out of committee.
	The Pentagon is alleged to have plans to use psychotropic drugs as a form of biological warfare.
	Senate Confirms Judge D. Brooks Smith.
	On July 30, 2002, the U.S. Senate voted 57 to 42 to kill a draconian medical malpractice proposal offered by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
	The BBC released a special featuring David Healy and Andy Vickery along with the Matt Miller's case, the Forsyth case, the Reginold Payne case in the UK, the Joseph Wesbecker case and the David Hawkins case in Australia - all concerned with SSRI withdrawal side-effects & suicide.
	Action alert:  NAMI Stigma Busters report for August, 2002.
	Rape and sexual assault, physical violence, gross neglect and other human rights abuses are widespread in United Nations-run institutions for people with mental disabilities in Kosovo, according to a new report by Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI).
	Critical negotiations continue in August 2002, putting pressure on House members to act on the mental health parity legislation.  Update on Federal mental health parity legislation status in 2002 legislative session.
	On July 31, 2002, the Senate completed prescription drug legislation action, without agreeing on a plan to expand the Medicare program to add coverage of prescription drugs.  The Senate is in debate on prescription drug legislation, that needs your advocacy.
	Action alert:  NAMI Stigma Busters report for July, 2002.
	Justin Dart March Press Coverage summary.
	Disability rights weakened - disability community is somber.
	Real Freedom - comments presented to the New Freedom Commission by Laura Van Tosh.
	Testimony by Mark Davis, M.A., in front of the President's New Freedom Commission, July 19, 2002.
	Free booklet available- Section 8 Made Simple: Using the Housing Choice Voucher Program To Assist People with Disabilities!
	Seattle Law firm asks public to help woman's fight for right to refuse to psychiatric drugs.
	We encourage you to visit and send comments to the President's New Freedom Commission via their new website.
	Disability advocates fear that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is torpedoing its own pilot program to counsel consumers on becoming employed.
	A national appeal process for Medicare, Medicaid, Medical coverage decisions is not in place, even though ordered by Congress last October.
	The People's True Freedom Commission email list.
	Numerous groups are urging the President to boost direct representation by  consumer / survivors / ex-patients on the New Freedom Commission.
	U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has a number of bureaucratic requirements for those diagnosed with mental illness, which discriminate against those with such disorders.
	Contact your Senators to let them know that SCNT is vital to stem cell research and must NOT be criminalized.
	This week the Consensus Project presented its report with the hope of reducing incarceration of the mentally ill. Click here for analysis by MadNation.
	The way is clear for establishing 'alternative medicine' family member/client groups in our public funded mental hospitals and clinics.
	Rodney Yoder involuntary commitment trail will claim that mental illness is not a biological disease.
	On June 6, 2002, NAMI organized a Parity Rally  on the white house lawn.
	SAMHSA offers $3.1 Million in grants to increase the availability of mental health and primary care services for persons with serious mental illnesses who are homeless.
	A bipartisan group of House members has introduced a resolution of support for President Bush's recently announced national commission to examine gaps in the public mental health system.
	A broad coalition of disability organizations have united in opposition to Judge D. Brooks Smith, President Bush’s nominee to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
	Bonnie Schell of Santa Cruz MHCAN is looking for volunteers to work on a group to see how to get mental health clients to get proper recommended health screenings, x-rays, lab work, etc.
	Imagining Robert: My Brother, Madness and Survival, is making the rounds again as a one-hour documentary (available from NAMI national).
	Action alert:  NAMI Stigma Busters report for June, 2002.
	Action alert:  NAMI Stigma Busters report for May, 2002.
	Action alert:  NAMI Stigma Busters report for April, 2002.
	Action alert:  NAMI Stigma Busters report for March, 2002.
	Action alert:  NAMI Stigma Busters report for February, 2002.
	Action alert: Your support for allocation of funding for the Family Opportunities Act in the Senate and House budget proposals is needed.
	Action alert: President George W. Bush's federal budget plan for fiscal year 2003, released February 4, falls extremely short of the need in terms of mental health spending.
	Long Island Conference: March 7, 2002: Keynote speaker Dr. Patricia Deegan speaks on some of the major themes and principles of the recovery process.
	Action alert: NAMI requests compaign to support reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
	SAMHSA offers grants to develop comprehensive transition programs serving youth with serious emotional disturbances or serious metal illnesses.
	Action alert: Letter writing campaign requested to protest China's use of psychiatry to torture dissidents.
	House of representatives facing a renewed Mental Health Parity battle.  Your support is needed.
	Action alert:  Letter writing campaign requested by NAMI and NAMI Georgia for scheduled execution of a man with schizophrenia.
	State of Mind: 2002 - New public radio broadcast explores the mental health of Americans as the nation emerges from the shocks of 2001 into the challenges of 2002.
	NAMI 2002 Conference:  Reaching out to the Latino community.
	May, 2002, testimony submitted by NAMI Board President Jim McNulty on behalf of NAMI to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies.
	The health care crisis along the U.S. border with Mexico.
	Support Coalition International comments on the National Commission on Correctional Health Care Draft Proposals for health care standards.
	Every morning, hundreds of mentally ill and emotionally disturbed teen-agers wake up in juvenile detention centers and juvenile jails across the United States to spend another day locked up and isolated from the help they need....
	The Bush Administration has proposed a Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability Demonstration Initiative - Bazelon Analysis.
	Rights for those diagnosed with mental disabilities.
	Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) Fall Through the Cracks in Mental Health Care.
	NAMI Legislative papers - summarizes NAMI positions on current federal legislation.
	Bazelon Center legislative alerts - while Congress is on recess, contact your representatives regarding mental health legislation, such as mental health parity, access to appropriate mental health care for children, special education, and jail diversion programs for mentally ill offenders.  Note: some survivor groups voice concerns about these bills.
	The House of Representatives, on August 3, 2001, approved a modified  version  of a bipartisan patients' bill of rights that would create new federal  rights for millions of Americans enrolled in managed care plans, after  revising the legislation to limit lawsuits against insurance companies.
	On June 28, a bipartisan coalition of House members led by Jim Greenwood(R-PA) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) introduced HR 2363, legislation that would establish regional consumer-run support centers to assist States, HMOs and other entities involved in the development of peer-support activities.
	As part of legislation covering the FY 2002 budget for the U.S. Department of Justice, the Senate Appropriations Committee has proposed allocating $5 million for a new program to support local "Mental Health Courts" to divert non-violent offenders with severe mental illness out of the criminal justice system. Consumer's express some concerns about these courts.
	U.S. Department of Health & Human Services releases guidance on patient privacy standards.
	Some states still bar certain mentally ill patients from voting - this Maine decision strikes down such a provision in their state constitution.
	It is illegitimate to postulate an underlying disease entity just because mental disorders may seem unintelligible. .... Psychiatric assessment too often fails to appreciate personal and social precursors of schizophrenia." - Duncan Double

 

	Governor Gray Davis will present to the Legislature his package of proposed spending cuts,  reportedly totaling $5 billion from the current budget, on Friday, December 6.
	On Nov. 26, 2002, Governor Gray Davis issued an Executive Order directing all state agencies and departments to immediately freeze spending.  Special session called for Dec. 9 to reduce spending by $5 billion.
	STATEWIDE MOBILIZATION AS FUNDING CRISIS WORSENS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
	California Governor Gray Davis signed into law the most important Health Freedom bill in world history - California SB 577.
	Governor Signs SB 1661 That Extends Disability Compensation for Family Leave
	Governor Vetoes SB 533 That Would Have Required State to Track Community Integration of People with Developmental Disabilities
	Report on the First Stakeholder Olmstead Work Group Meeting.
	Governor Davis signs AB 1421 - Involuntary Confinement Bill.
	Governor Acts On Several Special Ed/State Special School Bills.
	Governor Approves Farmworker Bills.
	Status on Residential care facilities in California.
	Status on Labor and Employment bills.
	Governor Davis vetoes several bills relating to people with disabilities.
	Governor Signs SB 1911 That Will Analyze Possible Increased Federal Funding for Children's Mental Health Services.
	HomeChoice to Aid the Disabled provides $6 million in affordable mortgage loans for people with disabilities.
	In-Home Supportive Services funding still needs Governor's signature.
	The California Health and Human Services Agency extended an invitation to all interested stakeholder groups and interested individuals with (developmental, cognitive and physical) disabilities, seniors, people with mental illness, who wish to participate in a series of work group meetings to help develop a state plan to implement the US Supreme Court's 1999 Olmstead Decision.
	Governor Davis signed two mental health bills - AB 1454 relating to mental health facilities criminal record background checks and AB 2044.
	SB 1630 Relating to Merging State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Organization of Area Boards Approved By Governor.
	A large crowd gathered outside the north steps of the State Capitol on September 17, 2002, urging Governor Davis to veto AB 1421 for involuntary mental health treatment.
	Update on California school related and special education bills.
	Several key budget related bills impacting people with disabilities, Medi-Cal, the Olmstead Decision state plan, In-Home Supportive Services, seniors, special education, mental health services, Healthy Families, and people with low incomes, still are pending action by Governor Davis.
	Governor Davis signed health facility financing legislation AB 2352 , that can provide grants for capital projects to health facilities including community mental health centers.
	Governor Gray Davis, signed the 2002-2003 state budget, with some expected additional cuts made to services and programs for people with disabilities.
	Budget Trailer Bills Still Pending Governor Action.
	Olmstead Implementation community forums extended through October.
	Governor Davis vetoed today September 12, 2002, AB 2920, which would have created a "California Center on Social Work Careers".
	The California Health and Human Services Agency is looking for community groups to host forums on development of a California plan to implement Olmstead.
	California releases study on developmental centers for the developmentally disabled.
	Assembly Human Services Committee passes SB 533 relating to reporting requirements for people residing in California's developmental centers.
	Legislation (SB 1630) that would merge the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Organization of Area Boards, passed the Assembly.
	The California State Budget was passed in a late Saturday night session August 31, that went into the early morning hours of September 1, breaking a 62 day impasse.
	Update on Special Education and other school bills.
	Update on Medi-Cal Bills.
	California AB 1421 Involuntary Confinement Bill Passes.  Voting record in Senate.
	Groups opposing AB 1421 are urging a letter writing campaign for the Governor's veto.
	Veto AB 1421 rally planned for September 16 at the capital.
	SB553 requiring community integration data on developmental center residents passed and went to the Governor.

	California bill AB 2328 would allow surrogates--who have no legal authority or responsibility-- to give consent to medical experiments on behalf of an incapacitated relative.  Update on AB 2328
	California Governor Davis signed into law AB 2582 permitting paratransit vehicles to use high occupancy vehicle lanes without the required number of passengers.
	AB 896 Relating To Developmental Services and Legislation to Ban Death Penalty for People with Retardation Both Die As Legislature Adjourns.
	California family leave bill SB 1661 passes assembly.
	Hundreds demonstrated at the Capital Friday demanding an end to the budget crisis.
	Write the California legislature urging creation of a plan for the implementation of Olmstead.
	Governor Davis approved SB 1448 relating to the California Memorial Project.

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	NAMI SCC has raised a number of concerns about the 7th Avenue Center locked treatment facility in Santa Cruz.  The Center responded with a fact sheet and long list of accomplishments but more discussion on these concerns is needed.
	Action Alert: Federal Budget threatens funding for consumer organizations.

	Action Alert: California State Dept. of Mental Health is recruiting bi-lingual consumers with mental health disabilities or family members as program reviewers. This is a very important opportunity to impact the quality of mental health services in our state. Reviewers will be paid, and have travel expenses provided as well.
	Action Alert:  Contact your local PBS station.  Award winning documentaries are available for local PBS scheduling (NAMI E-News).

	December 2001 NAMI Stigma Busters alerts - Parity bill dies, A Beautiful Mind, and more.
	Hearing in Sacramento on Jan. 8th on prescriptions of psychiatric drugs for children.
	Action Alert: Possible repeal of the Santa Cruz County Utility Tax will reduce county mental health services funding by nearly a million dollars, resulting in severe cuts.
	Action Alert:  Contact your local PBS station.  Award winning documentaries are available for local PBS scheduling (NAMI E-News).
	Action Alert: Possible repeal of the Santa Cruz County Utility Tax will reduce county mental health services funding by nearly a million dollars, resulting in severe cuts. NOTE: The Santa Cruz Utility Tax was REPEALED in the March election.
	Action Alert:  MHCAN will picket UC Symposium on Crafting Public MH Policy as it does not include consumers/client representation and supports forced psychiatry.
	December 2001 NAMI Stigma Busters alerts - Parity bill dies, A Beautiful Mind, and more.
	The Bush Administration's preparation of an executive order to further push it's "States' Rights" ideology threatens the American Disabilities Act due to the patchwork of inconsistent -- and often nonexistent -- state laws.
	NAMI launched a protest of products marketed by Sony Corporation of America and Mattel, Inc. that violate the U.S. Surgeon General's call on the entertainment industry to eliminate the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
	The National Commission on Correctional Health Care Standards has extended its period for comment on the proposed new standards until Sept. 30, 2001.
	The rusted iron chains that once shackled the woman are gone, but she is still bound by the horror of the fire that killed 28 other mental patients chained to stone pillars.
	Bazelon Center legislative alerts - while Congress is on recess, contact your representatives regarding mental health legislation, such as mental health parity, access to appropriate mental health care for children, special education, and jail diversion programs for mentally ill offenders.  Note: some survivor groups voice concerns about these bills.
	Click to read the New Freedom Initiative on Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities.
	Invitation to participate in NIMH grant review boards.
	Discipline amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT (IDEA)  effectively deny educational services to many students with disabilities.
	A Human Rights Statement against Psychiatric Persecution Petition to The UNO Human Rights Commission in Geneva was created by people who suffer from psychiatric persecution, psychiatric incarceration and psychiatric torture and written by Hagai Aviel/chairperson of Israeli Association Against Psychiatric Assault (IAAPA) .
	You are encouraged to contact your House members and urge them to support a strong, enforceable Patients' Bill of Rights that ensures access to needed treatments and services for persons with severe mental illnesses and their family members.
	MHCAN Client Research Opportunity - a program has been started to research effectiveness of consumer run mental health programs in conjunction with country services.
	The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has launched a new grant initiative called "Systems Change Grants for Community Living." HCFA's goal is to improve community services for children and adults of any age who have a disability, including persons disabled due to a severe mental illness.
	As the Memorial Day Congressional recess is just beginning, over the next week and a half Senators and Representatives will be back at home, presenting a prime opportunity to attend a town hall meeting, schedule a visit, or call or write on the issues of concern to you.
	Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act - As action on S 543, the Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2001, nears, more co-sponsors of the bill are needed to ensure passage of this critical legislation that would end discriminatory insurance practices against people with mental illnesses and their families.  Your help is needed.
	Your chance to advocate - Click to join the NAMI email list for advocacy and issues.
	Metro Center Threatens Pioneer House - The Santa Cruz City Council is considering a site in Harvey West that will displace the day treatment services for mental health clients provided by the Pioneer House.  (April, 2001) Email comments to: Metrobase@scmtd.com
	Something CAN be done about the Santa Cruz Housing shortage - Read what Judy Williams did to provide housing for mental health clients in Santa Cruz County.  (Feb., 2001)
	Urgent Action Alert - On February 23, 2001, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson announced plans to review the new federal health privacy regulation, issued by the Clinton Administration in December. Members of the health care industry have pressured the Secretary to delay and weaken the regulation and it has been opened up for a further 30-day period of public comment. (March, 01)
	The Indiana Board of Licensed Psychologists proposes legislation that restricts the use of 201 tests and assessment instruments commonly used in mental health, educational, and rehabilitative treatment settings. Such a restriction will increase cost and reduce access to these tests. FACT urges a letter writing campaign. (March, 01)

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