Legal Action Center

Did you know that #overdose is now a LEADING cause of #maternalmortality?! To address this crisis, we developed a sign-on letter encouraging CMS to strengthen their #maternalhealth proposals and address this intersection with #substanceuse, including by requiring hospitals to employ evidence-based practices to identify, treat, and provide follow-up care for #perinatal people with #substanceusedisorder. Learn more and sign-on to our letter by Sunday, 9/8 at 3 p.m. ET here: https://lnkd.in/deFW2Zky

ATTENTION NEW YORKERS!! Are you having trouble finding a #mentalhealth or #substanceusedisorder treatment provider who takes your insurance? New York State’s ombudsman program CHAMP represents people and advocates for them as they navigate insurance concerns - and as 1 of CHAMP’s 3 specialist organizations, LAC is on hand to help NYers access the lifesaving care they deserve! Consumers, providers, and other advocates can call the CHAMP helpline at 888-614-5400 for free, confidential assistance. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/lacchamp

There is an URGENT need for improved access to #Medicare for people reentering the community from incarceration - and after years of advocating for this, LAC is thrilled that CMS has proposed new rules to expand access to high quality, affordable coverage and care for Medicare beneficiaries under #supervisedrelease. To strengthen these rules, we developed a sign-on letter in partnership with Justice in Aging and Medicare Rights Center offering recommendations. Learn more, read the letter, and sign your organization on by TOMORROW, Thursday, September 5th by visiting: https://bit.ly/3XlVboJ #reentrymatters #signonletter #nohealthnojustice

#Overdose is now a LEADING cause of #maternalmortality! To address this crisis, we developed a sign-on letter to encourage the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to strengthen their #maternalhealth proposals to address this intersection of maternal health and substance use. Help us encourage CMS to require hospitals to employ evidence-based practices to identify, treat, and provide follow-up care for #perinatalpeople with #substanceusedisorder, implement informed consent policies, protect #patientprivacy, and more. Learn about the converging crises in our latest blog penned by Sr. Health Policy Attorney Deborah Steinberg here: https://bit.ly/4dXve4g, and sign your organization onto our letter by 9/8 at 3 p.m. ET here: https://bit.ly/4dTAV2Y 

There is an URGENT need for improved access to #Medicare for people reentering the community from #incarceration - and after years of advocating for this, LAC is thrilled that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have proposed new rules to expand access to high quality, affordable coverage and care for Medicare beneficiaries under #supervisedrelease. To strengthen these rules, we developed a sign-on letter in partnership with Justice in Aging and Medicare Rights Center offering recommendations. Read the letter here https://bit.ly/4e1yECS and sign your organization on by 9/5 here https://bit.ly/3XlVboJ

Adolescents are NOT immune to the nationwide increases in #overdose rates and #mentalhealth needs! Our new blog post written by Araya Miller, a Yale Undergraduate Liman Fellow who interned with LAC this summer, highlights some of the common barriers to #substanceuse and #mentalhealthcare for adolescents through experiences shared by youth and their families. Learn more, including recommendations for improving access to care by reading the full piece here: https://bit.ly/3YTus3T

As punitive responses to the worsening #overdose crisis continue, LAC pleased to contribute to VOCAL-US' 2nd annual Roadmap on Spending #OpioidSettlementFunds emphasizing #harmreduction. From expanding syringe exchange programs, to developing employment initiatives, to advancing conviction record expungement policies, learn more about our recommendations as well as ongoing concerns about how the funds are currently being spent here: https://bit.ly/3yJsDfn

Ongoing stigma surrounding medications to treat #opioidusedisorder is misguided and DANGEROUS! Despite the fact that medications including buprenorphine are proven to be effective and save lives, people in recovery are often barred from jobs and other life essentials based on their treatment. That’s why fighting this discrimination is a KEY pillar of LAC's work! A recent segment on NBC News explores the consequences of this persistent discrimination and how it can keep people from pursuing the lives they deserve. Watch it below (starting at the 10:35 mark). https://bit.ly/4dSSdgD

Are you a #behavioralhealth provider or administrator? Check out this new resource from LAC’s Deputy Director of #HealthPrivacy Jacqueline Seitz! She covers everything you need to know about #42CFRPart2's new stricter protections for #substanceusedisorder counseling notes. Read them here: https://bit.ly/3Tkrbr1  #addictiontreatment #addictioncounseling #addictioncounselor #substanceusedisordercare

Do you have questions about applying for an occupational or professional license with a conviction record? Check out our free online training! We cover steps you must take to apply for licenses, how to get ready for “moral character” investigations, what to expect at potential hearings, steps to take after a hearing, and options for appealing decisions. Download the presentation and/or watch the video here: https://bit.ly/3TyZauU Please share widely!