The Arizona Legislature Opened this Week

 

Did you hear the Governor speak? If not, find his speech  here!

Here is also a link to the Arizona Republic's coverage of the State of the State.

  Highlights include funding for education, waiver licensing fees for low income people, e ducation for physicians about addiction, extend TANF from 12 to 24 months, utilize Community Corrections Centers for those leaving prison, give Vivitrol to those leaving prison, efforts to cut red tape (new website www.redtape.az.gov ), utilize e mployment centers at prisons and much more! Stay educated and read his full speech.

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So the Legislature is Open, now what? We will help keep you informed!

When it's time to contact your legislators, we will send out an Action Alert, so stay tuned! Please take a few minutes to ensure your voice is heard! Make your messages short, sweet and personal!

Please be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or our website. These outlets are updated often!

Don't want to testify but want to watch the committee hearings, if so you can do so here!

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Important Dates and Deadlines

 

1/17/17    Senate Bill request deadline

1/23/17    House and Senate Bill Intro Set preparation deadline

2/9/17     Last day for House members to submit bill requests to Legislative Council

2/10/17    Last day for House bills to be introduced

2/17/17    Last day for House bills to be heard in the House and Senate bills to be heard in the Senate

3/24/17    Last day for House consideration of Senate bills and Senate consideration of House bills

4/14/17    Last day for conference committees

4/18/17    100th day of session

4/22/17    Saturday of the week of 100th day.  Date required for Sine Die unless House and Senate leaders extend the deadline for 7 days.

4/29/17    Session cannot be extended beyond this date without majority vote of both House and Senate

 

 

 

Check out MHA's 2017 Legislative Priorities!

Focus Area:

Protect the key provisions of the Affordable Care Act that affect access to mental health services.

 

Others:

• Monitor state budget and funding allocations for behavioral health.
• Monitor legislation that impacts defendants subject to involuntary commitment.
• Support the work of the study committee and potential legislation regarding "nonrestorable" defendants.
• Support Department of Health Services amendments to fingerprint and licensing laws.
• Consider support for Arizona Office of Courts legislation on sentencing fines, competency and permanent guardianship.
• Support sentencing reform efforts so individuals with a mental illness can receive diversion program services and re-entry supports.
• Support efforts to increase the imposed time limits of 12 months to 24 months for TANF recipients.

Our Congress Still Needs to Hear from You

2,700,000 Americans with mental illness will lose out on insurance if Congress repeals the Medicaid expansion.

Sign, like, and share NOW if you want to help them!

#B4Stage4   #ProtectOurPatients   #KeepAmericaCovered

http://savementalhealthreform.org/sign-the-petition/

 

What will happen in AZ if the ACA is repealed?

Congress is moving to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as soon as possible - with no assurance that people in Arizona will have protections for pre-existing conditions or access to affordable health insurance. This would leave people with mental illness, children, seniors and many others at risk!

Check out the impact such a repeal will have on Arizona!

PLEASE do your part and reach out to Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake TODAY. Ask them to vote NO on repealing the ACA until there is a replacement plan that will allow for our friends, family and other Arizonans obtain the health coverage they need.

Are you one of the 2.7 million Americans that will be touched if the ACA is repealed? If so, tell us your story! We want to share the benefits of the ACA with our leaders!

Email us at [email protected]

 

You're Invited!

 

Mental Health Association of Associations Meeting

 

We must work together to address core mental health related advocacy and legislative issues. Join us to discuss where our efforts are most needed and strategize how to best make an impact.

Advocates: Please bring your list of 2017 Policy Priorities to share with the group!

Wednesday, February 15^th, 2017 - 11:00am - 1:00pm

 

Stand Together and Recovery Centers

        2502 East Washington Street, 2nd Floor Phoenix, AZ 85034

LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED

Please RSVP to Kristina Sabetta, LMSW at [email protected]