ADTA National Advocacy Actions 2019

  • In February -ADTA signs onto a letter requesting a strong funding allocation for “The People's Bill," which provides funding for services for things like health/mental health and services in education settings.
  • On March 12-ADTA Signs onto a letter with other Organizations to support Bill S548 which proposes to continue the Medicaid Program titled “Money Follows the Person” (MFP). This Program allows increased access to community-based services for people with disabilities and aging. that sign-on letter with other organizations.
  • April 2019, a formal request from the ADTA’s legislative consultant went to the Mental Health Legislative Group-to promote the visibility of the term Dance/movement therapy in bills that touch upon mental health treatment providers and modalities.
  • On May 3, the ADTA signed on to a bill that asked for a few things related to ending of school violence see the asks below: 
    • STOP School Violence Act was a bipartisan piece of legislation passed in March 2018 that many of the groups in the Big Table helped to tweak and pass.  This legislation created a new grant program under COPS and BJA for the following (1) Under BJA- student and staff school violence prevention training (including mental health), school threat assessment teams, and anonymous reporting systems; and (2) Under COPS- law enforcement training and security infrastructure.   
    • Through the help of organizations within this group, Congress increased the funding for STOP in FY19. 
    • We have requested an even greater increase in funding to $125M (from $100M) to be able to reach more schools.
  • July 3, 2019-ADTA signed on to a bill supported by the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) requesting the inclusion of eating disorders prevention within Local School Wellness Policies in order to balance the effects of obesity programming for students at-risk for eating disorders. 
  • In July, ADTA signed on to a letter asking congress for the continued support of The Autism CARES Act which authorizes millions in autism research, education, training and monitoring. This includes the CDC ADDM Network and the network of 52 LEND programs throughout the country. 
  • July 17-ADTA signs on to a letter asking Congress to recognize the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and continue to support the act and its enforcement. 
  • July 17 ADTA signs onto to letter asking for support of the SERVE Act which would increase access to eating disorders treatment for military members and their families under TRICARE.
  • July 19, ADTA signs-on a letter in support of the “Big 3”, an Athletic organization, proposing that mental health awareness is at the forefront of athletics from youth sports to professional sports.

  • August 2, 2019, ADTA Signs on to a request to Congress to include language in the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related agencies’ FY2020 Appropriations bill directing schizophrenia as a condition in the National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS), as authorized under the 21 st Century Cures Act. This movement will help with better understanding of Schizophrenia and more access to care.

  • On August 3, 2019, ADTA signs on to support Bob Casey’s work to promote the Schools Improvement Act which requires schools and districts receiving federal funding to specifically prohibit bullying and harassment, including conduct based on a student’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. Ensures that schools and school districts focus on effective prevention programs in order to better prevent and respond to incidents of bullying and harassment both in school and online. Requires that states report data on incidents of bullying and harassment to the Department of Education.

  • On August 7, 2019, the ADTA signs-on to a letter supporting The UNDERSTAND Act which would create a surveillance system to track how social determinants affect health care outcomes.

  • On August 8, 2019, the ADTA signs-on to a letter in support of Sec. 1557 of the Affordable Care Act as the "non-discrimination" provision. The Dept of Health and Human Services is proposing to change the regulation, issued under the last Administration, making this provision not applicable to certain short-term insurance plans….and in effect, discriminating against persons with disabilities. This letter proposes to maintain the regulation as it is.

  • On Aug 20, 2019, the ADTA signs onto a letter in support of current legislation in the House (H.R. 3107, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act) which would seek to streamline the process of prior authorization in Medicare Advantage and increase transparency within the program. Among other provisions, the bill would establish an electronic prior authorization process and introduce new reporting requirements for MA plans. This process is purported to expedite access to care for seniors. 

  • On August 28 the ADTA SIGNs-Onto a letter to congress submitted by CCD Rights: this letter was intended to ask our leaders to not scapegoat people with mental health disabilities in gun violence bills.

  • On September 6, 2019, the ADTA signs onto a letter to advocate for HELP a program making general recommendations for a mental health/school safety

  • On September 6, 2019, the ADTA signs onto a letter of support for the National Suicide Hotline to continue to have support, funding, and training.

  • September 16-ADTA signs-on to a letter by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities to maintain current SNAP benefits (food assistance for people with disabilities.

  • September 26-ADTA signs on to a bill in support of Suicide prevention.

  • October 9-ADTA signs-onto a letter in support of non-discrimination when it comes to housing assistance through the Fair Housing Act.

  • October 10-ADTA signs onto a letter supporting a bill that proposes equal coverage for Eating disorder treatment for people with Medicaid insurance.

  • October 31-ADTA sends out a Call to Action to all members to ask Senators to request adding the language “Creative Arts Therapies” into bills requesting funding for Alternative healing modalities with veterans and active military.

  • November 6-ADTA signs on to a letter in protest of barriers to gender affirming care to children and adolescents.

  • November 10-ADTA signs onto a letter requesting Congress approve a bill that promotes more effective and immediate suicide screening, assessment and treatment of high-risk patients in an ER.

  • December 11-ADTA signs onto a bill to support legislation of reform of provisions of mental health treatment for families in crisis.

  • December 18-ADTA signs onto a letter protesting proposed changes in rules that protect individuals from discrimination when being considered for federal grant-funded mental health and substance abuse treatment.