One Page "Leave Behind": FY2025 Budget and Legislative Priorities
NJAMHAA VP Shares her Suicide Survival to Help Others, Reinforces Need for Increased Funding for Behavioral Healthcare Services
Shauna Moses, NJAMHAA’s Vice President, Public Affairs and Member Services, shares her stories as a survivor of suicide with the goal of encouraging others to open up about their struggles, seek help and choose life.
“There are so many success stories out there. However, not everyone is fortunate to receive life-enhancing — and, in many cases, life-saving — behavioral healthcare services because of the workforce crisis and other barriers, such as stigma and lack of parity in insurance plans,” Moses said. Click here to watch this interview.
“The workforce crisis, in particular, and the limited funding for provider organizations that primarily serve Medicaid beneficiaries are the focus of NJAMHAA's new campaign. In Diverse Faces: All Are Worthy of Full Investment, we share several success stories that were made possible by behavioral health treatment and support services — and especially the dedicated staff who provide them,” Moses said. “We urge all government leaders, as well as members of the public, to view the campaign publication and video to gain the full sense of what these services mean for children, youth and adults throughout our state. We hope these compelling stories lead to significantly increased funding in the FY2025 State Budget.”
New Jersey Must Invest to Meet the State’s Increased Behavioral Health Care Needs
"While advances in vaccines and treatment have reduced the death toll from COVID and people have gone back to offices, family gatherings and public events, one thing has not changed — the pandemic’s impact on the mental health of New Jersey’s youth and adults. As individuals of all ages and backgrounds continue to experience anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders, as well as increased substance use, New Jersey must invest to meet their needs and prevent unnecessary fatalities," wrote Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA, in an opinion-editorial piece that was published on nj.com.
"Every New Jersey resident, regardless of ethnicity, race, language, culture, disability, gender identity or religion is worthy of the State’s full investment in mental health and substance use treatment and supports that will afford them access to timely, appropriate, and often, life-saving services. Unfortunately, while demand for behavioral health services has not abated, providers continue to face a behavioral health workforce shortage and great difficulty recruiting and retaining staff," Dr. Wentz stated.
The article highlights NJAMHAA's campaign, Diverse Faces: All Are Worthy of Full Investment.
Click here to read this entire article. Click here to view the campaign brochure and here to watch a video.
State Issues with Pending Legislation
- Statuses are as of February 15, 2024.
- Please also see NJAMHAA’s current campaign, Diverse Faces: All Are Worthy of Full Investment brochure and video
- To check the current status of any state legislation, you may search by bill number, title, sponsor, key word and more on the New Jersey Legislature’s homepage
State
NJ Legislature Committee Abbreviations
FY2025 Budget
- NJAMHAA is currently working to get increased funding for behavioral health and addiction workforce and services into the Governor’s proposed budget that will be released sometime in early March.
- Please use the following materials to advocate for increased funding:
- FY2025 Campaign – Diverse Faces: All Are Worthy of Full Investment
- Campaign Video
- NJAMHAA One Pager: FY2025 Budget and Legislative Priorities
- New Jersey Must Invest to Meet the State’s Increased Behavioral Health Care Needs – Op-Ed by Debra L. Wentz, Ph.D., President and CEO, NJAMHAA
FY2024 State Budget: NJAMHAA Summary of FY2024 Budget Bill
New Jersey’s approved 1115 Waiver renewal letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (March 2023).
NJAMHAA Summary of the approved 1115 Waiver.
Signed Into Law:
Archived: NJ 220th Session (2022/2023)
Resolutions
SJR66/AJR86 - Designating fourth Wednesday in May of each year as "Crisis Professionals Day."
Latest Actions: 1/9/24 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to SHH; 1/9/24 Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to AHU.
Primary Sponsors: Senator Vitale; Assemblyman Greenwald.
- This was a resolution requested by NJAMHAA.
Bills
S318/A2231 - Establishes annual cost of living adjustment based on Consumer Price Index for certain children, youth, and family services organizations.
Latest Actions: 1/9/24 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to SHH.
Primary Sponsors: Senators Diegnan Jr. and Greenstein; Assemblywoman Lopez
S668/A2868 - Increases Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care and intensive outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services, and associated transportation services, for adults.
Latest Actions: 1/9/24 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to SHH; 1/9/24 Introduced in the House, Referred to AHU.
Primary Sponsors: Senators Singer and Gopal; Assemblymembers Verrelli, Greenwald and Atkins
S1032/A1143 - Establishes annual cost of living adjustment based on Consumer Price Index for programs providing mental health, substance use treatment, or services to persons with developmental disabilities.
Latest Actions: 1/9/24 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to SHH; 1/9/24 Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to AHU.
Primary Sponsors: Senators Greenstein, Vitale and Gopal; Assemblywoman Murphy
- NJAMHAA submitted testimony in favor of S2668 in the prior session.
[NJAMHAA is participating in the Human Services Equity Coalition (HUSEC) led by Easter Seals to gain momentum and support for the passage of this bill]
S1269/A2053 - Requires DCA [Department of Community Affairs] to establish standards for prisoner reentry transitional housing.
Latest Actions: 1/9/24 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to SCU; 1/9/24 Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to ACD.
Primary Sponsors: Senators Pou and Turner; Assemblymembers Pintor Marin, Reynolds-Jackson and Verrelli
S1672/A2802 - Requires State to take steps to create additional graduate medical education program slots focused on behavioral health care.
Latest Actions: 1/9/24 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to SHH; 1/9/24 Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to AHE.
Primary Sponsors: Senator Zwicker; Assemblymembers Greenwald, Reynolds-Jackson, and Park
S1761/A2805 - Requires issuance of report on certain information and data on processing of applications for professional and occupational licenses and mandates review of training and call intake in Division of Consumer Affairs.
Latest Actions: 1/9/24 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to SCM; 1/9/24 Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to ARP.
Primary Sponsors: Senator Moriarty; Assemblymembers Greenwald and Swain
S1983/A944 - Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses.
Latest Actions: 1/9/24 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to SHH; 1/9/24 Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to AHE.
Primary Sponsors: Senators Vitale and Singleton; Assemblymembers Munoz, Spearman, and Quijano
- NJAMHAA is working with sponsors on amendments regarding the signing of screening certificates.
S1609 - Creates online job portal for behavioral health care workers and online internship and externship portal for health care students.
Latest Actions: 1/9/24 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to SHH.
Primary Sponsors: Senator Zwicker
A112 - Exempts certain motor vehicles that are owned by certain nutrition programs and certain nonprofit organizations that offer social services from motor vehicle registration fees.
Latest Actions: 1/9/24 Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to ATR.
Primary Sponsors: Assemblyman Guardian
A2803 - Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey.
Latest Actions: Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to ARP.
Primary Sponsors: Assemblymembers Greenwald, Conaway and Stanley
- NJAMHAA is seeking an amendment to include social work interns and MSW ADCs in the telehealth statute.
A2813 - Enters NJ in Social Work Licensure Compact.
Latest Actions: 1/9/24 Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to ARP
Primary Sponsors: Assemblymembers Greenwald and Reynolds-Jackson
Federal
November 2, 2023 – CMS Final Rules for Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS); and CY 2024 Outpatient Prospective Payment System
FY2024 Budget:
January 19, 2024 – President Biden signs Continuing Resolution (HR2872) providing funding at current levels for the federal government through March 1, 2024 for some agencies, and March 8, 2024 for other agencies.
Archived: FY2023 Federal Budget Summary
Federal Health/Telehealth Policies:
- New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) New Jersey Waiver Tracker
Federal Bills Introduced in the 118th Congress (2023/2024)
S.644/H.R.1359– Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (To expand the take-home prescribing of methadone through pharmacies)
Increase access to care for people experiencing opioid use disorder by reforming the outdated regulations governing the prescription and dispensing of methadone.
Primary Sponsors: S.644: Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA); H.R.1359: Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) (Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Andy Kim (D-3) are original co-sponsors of the legislation.)
Latest Action: 2/1/24 Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar; 3/10/23 referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health.
S.1001/H.R.1843 – Telehealth Expansion Act of 2023
Permanently exempts high deductible health plans from the requirement of a deductible for telehealth and other remote care services.
Primary Sponsors: Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT); Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA)
Latest Action: 6/13/23 Amended by the House Committee on Ways and Means, Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 84; 3/28/23 Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
S.1165/H.R.2400- Reentry Act of 2023
Allows for Medicaid payment of medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release.
Primary Sponsors: Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY)
Latest Action: 4/17/23 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance; 4/7/23 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
S.1271/H.R.3333 – FEND Off Fentanyl Act
Imposes sanctions with respect to trafficking of illicit fentanyl and its precursors by transnational criminal organizations, including cartels, and for other purposes.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC); Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX)
Latest Action: 1/11/24 Hearings held by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; 5/15/23 Introduced in the House and Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Accountability.
S.1884/H.R.3713 – Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2023
Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN); Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA)
Latest Action: 6/8/23 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; 5/26/23 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.
S.2128/H.R.4331 – Strengthening Medicaid for Serious Mental Illness Act
Amends title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase Federal Medicaid funding for States that provide intensive community-based services for adults with serious mental illness, and for other purposes.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY); Rep. Daniel S. Goldman (D-NY)
Latest Action: 6/29/23 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health; 6/22/23 Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
S.2476/H.R.4884 – Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2023
Amends the Public Health Services Act to provide for a behavioral and mental health outreach and education strategy to reduce stigma associated with mental health among the Hispanic and Latino population, and for other purposes.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) (Original Cosponsor: Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)); Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA)
Latest Action: 7/25/23 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; 7/28/23 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.
S.2688/H.R.5116 – Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act
Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend health information technology assistance eligibility to behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse professionals and facilities, and for other purposes.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK); Rep. Doris O. Matsui (D-CA)
Latest Action: 7/27/23 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; 8/4/23 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.
S.2768/H.R.2584 – Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (SAVE Act)
Establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly assaulting or intimidating hospital personnel during the performance of their official duties in a manner that interferes with their performance of the duties or limits their ability to perform the duties. Additionally, the bill authorizes grants to reduce the incidence of violence at hospitals, including violence or intimidation against hospital personnel in the performance of their duties.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV); Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN)
Latest Actions: 9/12/23 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary; 4/13/23 Introduced in the House, Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
S.2976/H.R.5801 – Preventing Overdoses with Test Strips Act
Ensures that expenses relating to the acquisition or use of devices for use in the detection of fentanyl, xylazine, and other emerging adulterant substances, including test strips are allowable expenses under certain grant programs.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ); Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
Latest Action: 9/28/23 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; 9/29/23 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.
S.3393/H.R.4531 – Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization (SUPPORT) Act of 2023
Reauthorizes certain programs that provide for opioid use disorder prevention, recovery, and treatment, and for other purposes
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT); Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)
Latest Action: 12/12/23 Passed by the House; 2/1/24 Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 319.
S.923– Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act
Amends the Social Security Act to reform and improve mental health and substance use care under the Medicare and Medicaid Programs, and for other purposes.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D-CO)
Latest Action: 3/22/23 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
S.1950 – TEST Act
The “Temporary Emergency Scheduling and Testing of Fentanyl Analogues Act of 2023” or the “Test Act” extends the temporary order for fentanyl-related substances.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Latest Action: 6/13/23 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
S.2484– Expanding Nationwide Access to Test Strips Act
Ensures that States do not prohibit an individual from obtaining, possessing, distributing, or using life-saving drug testing technologies, and for other purposes.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Latest Action: 7/25/23 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
S.2993– Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act
This legislation would amend the Social Security Act and the Public Health Service Act to permanently authorize certified community behavioral health clinics, and for other purposes.
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Latest Action: 9/28/23 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
S.3430 – Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Latest Action: 12/7/23 Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 265.
H.R.822– Student Mental Health Helpline Act
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to award grants to eligible entities to establish or maintain a student mental health and safety helpline, and for other purposes.
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT)
Latest Action: 2/10/23 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R.1110– KEEP Telehealth Options Act of 2023
Requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to report on telehealth expansion under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) during the COVID-19 public health emergency and through December 31, 2024. The report must include information relating to the types of services available, the utilization of services, and the effects on public health.The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission must also report on any improvements or barriers with respect to such expanded services, as well as any associated risks of fraudulent activity.
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH-12)
Latest Action: 3/3/23 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.
H.R.1689 – Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act
Authorizes the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award grants to eligible entities to support the mental and behavioral health of elementary and secondary school students, and for other purposes.
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Abigail Davis Spanberger (D-VA)
Latest Action: 3/31/23 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.
H.R.2412 – Helping Kids Cope Act
Establishes grant programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) dedicated to pediatric mental and behavioral health needs.
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
Latest Action: 4/7/23 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R.2642 – PEER Mental Health Act of 2023
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to award grants for peer mental health first aid, and for other purposes.
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT)
Latest Action: 4/17/23 Introduced in the House, Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R.4851 – 9-8-8 Implementation Act of 2023
Provides for improvements in the implementation of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and for other purposes
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA)
Latest Action: 8/24/23 Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health.
H.R.5378 – Lower Costs, More Transparency Act
Requires health care providers and insurers to disclose certain information about health care costs, and would establish requirements for certain payment methodologies under Medicare and Medicaid, and extend several public health programs.
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
Latest Action: 12/11/23 Passed the House of Representatives.
H.R.7153 – Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act
To reauthorize the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, and for other purposes.
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA)
Latest Action: 1/30/24 Introduced in the House, Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
