Wednesday, October 01, 2003

APA Public Policy Update: Reaching the underserved
From the new APA Monitor - "Although the economy remains sluggish and national security is still the top priority, many policy-makers are diligently setting time aside to address the needs of those who are most vulnerable in difficult times--children and older adults. APA's Public Policy Office (PPO) has been working closely in recent months with congressional champions, who, despite it all, remain committed to reaching out to their oldest and youngest constituents by introducing new, exciting legislation.  
  

Senate Passes Funding Bill; No Treatment-Voucher Program
Story at Join Together - "The U.S. Senate has passed the 2004 appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, but did not provide funding for President Bush's Access to Recovery treatment-voucher program, Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly reported Sept. 22..."  
  

"Voices For Recovery" Muffled Without Congressional Action, Presidential Support
Commentary piece by William C. Moyers at Join Together - "From California and Oregon to Minnesota and New York, state legislatures across the country have slashed treatment dollars as they struggle with gaping budget deficits. Partisan political rancor over vouchers for so-called faith based drug treatment programs deflects federal funds from treatment programs that work. Our county jails and state prisons are filled with addicts whose only treatment is punishment. Among working families, private health care insurance benefits for addiction treatment are steadily eroding. ... Yet today's reality is obscured by our nation's persistent belief that addiction is somehow different than other illnesses, if it is even considered an illness at all. This summer, a blue-ribbon panel established by President Bush to examine how to deal with the burgeoning problem of the mentally ill all but ignored alcoholism and drug addiction in laying out its recommendations. ... The Administration's 2004 budget does include millions of additional dollars for drug treatment programs. Yet the disproportionate bulk of the Administration's annual $20 billion drug budget still goes where every administration's has for decades -- to fighting a war America cannot win primarily through international interdiction and tough law enforcement at home..."