Mental Health Notes Etc.-Jan.15, 2009

Mental Health Notes Etc

Jan. 15, 2009

The SCHIP bill Passed House on Jan. 14th; Includes Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders Parity

The SCHIP Reauthorization bill, HR 2, was passed by the house on Jan. 14th, As it currently stands SCHIP is set to expire on March 31st, 2009. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to consider the Senate version on January 15th. SCHIP reauthorization would provide insurance to 4.1 million children who would not otherwise have insurance.

Committee Assignments Continue in the Senate and House.

The new Senate Committee Appointments for Health, Education, Labor and Pensions [HELP] Include Senators Robert Casey [ D-PA], Kay Hagen [D-NC], Jeff Merkley [D-OR],and one more Senator who has yet tobe announced. The Senate Finance Committee now has Senators Tom Carper [D-DE], Bob Menendez [D-NJ’], and Bill Nelson [D-FL] for its newest members. Senators Jon Testor [D-MT] and Mark Pryor [D-AR] are now on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Daschle Conformation Hearing Held on Jan. 8th.

Former Senator Tom Daschle President-elect Obama’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, had his first confirmation hearing on Jan. 8th. The conformation hearing was held by the HELP Committee. The HELP Committee will not be making a recommendation to the entire Senate, that is the job of the Senate Finance Committee, which has yet to schedule a hearing.

Mental Health America is celebrating 100 years of advancing mental health and they want you to join them. Mental Health America’s Centennial Conference, will be held on June 10-13, 2009 in Washington D.C. at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol hill.