Legal Action Center

Recent claims data from RTI International found SIGNIFICANT #Medicare gaps in #substanceusedisorder (SUD) treatment in 2020! To highlight these gaps, we developed an issue brief distilling the report’s key findings, including patterns of under-diagnosis and under-coverage, care denials, lack of coverage of most common settings of care, and more. We also offer recommendations to Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for improving access to care through Fee-for-Service Medicare and Medicare Advantage programs. Check out the report here https://lnkd.in/eSrJqaPr and/or read our issue brief here https://lnkd.in/egiS-TVF. 

Health care provider organizations and social service agencies MUST take #patientconsent selections seriously to safeguard #healthprivacy! New white paper from Midato Health's Carol Robinson and Cindy Throop covers best practices for consent management for the use and disclosure of sensitive health-related data, including keeping data fields separate, appropriately using multi-party consent forms, knowing when to use tailored consent forms for specific purposes, and more. Read the paper at https://bit.ly/consentmgmt 

We are honored to support the work of Legal Action Center which has created this helpful tool so that the movement can track - in real time - the implementation of Medicaid waivers so that advocates, policy makers, elected officials and those directly impacted can monitor progress to ensure that there is no gap in health coverage for those coming out of prison. Ensuring consistency in healthcare coverage is a key to decriminalizing mental illness. #MentalIllnessIsNotACrime https://lnkd.in/gjxf8cfm

Do you have a conviction record? Are you looking for a job or housing but running into barriers? Learn how to gather evidence of rehabilitation! Showcasing positive steps you’ve taken since your conviction – like attending school or a job training, working successfully, volunteering, and more – can help you convince an employer, landlord, government agency, or other decision-maker to give you the fair chance you deserve. Check out our how-to guide here: https://lnkd.in/eUb4M9wB  #reentrymatters

LAC applauds finalized #ParityAct regulations released by the Departments of Labor, Health & Human Services, and Treasury, which incorporate many of our previously submitted recommendations. “As #overdose continues to devastate communities and #mentalhealth needs rise nationwide, the importance of addressing discrimination in health care coverage is essential,” says LAC's Sr. Health Policy Attorney Deborah Steinberg. “These updated regulations are a testament to the collective efforts we and our many partners have remained steadfast in. Our work does not stop here, though. We look forward to working with federal and state stakeholders to ensure these final regulations meet their full potential, and we will advocate for greater consistency in Medicaid and Medicare to protect all people from discriminatory insurance practices.” Learn more at https://lnkd.in/ecdpgkRE. 

Have you or has someone you know faced discrimination in health care, employment, or the criminal legal or family regulation systems because of past or current drug use? LAC is here to help! We provide free legal services and education for individuals, providers, and advocates navigating this all too common illegal discrimination. Check out the link below to learn more, review resources like self-advocacy tools for accessing medication for opioid use disorder and addressing health care discrimination, or complete an online intake form: https://bit.ly/3VjiOKf 

ATTENTION NEW YORKERS! Did you know that NYS’ CHAMP helpline is a free & confidential resource for ALL New Yorkers looking for help navigating barriers to #substanceusedisorder & #mentalhealth care?! And as one of #CHAMP’s 3 specialist organizations, LAC is here to help! Call 888-614-5400 today or learn more at https://bit.ly/lacchamp 

Do you have questions about avoiding discrimination in employment, housing, and health care based on your HIV/AIDS status, substance use disorder, or conviction history? Our guide has answers! We cover laws that make it illegal to discriminate against these populations, tips for how to improve your chances of getting and keeping a job or housing, what to do if you face illegal discrimination, and more. Check it out here and please share widely: https://lnkd.in/eabjcyuQ 

Are you a #mentalhealth or #substanceusedisorder provider? If so, you’ve probably encountered many frustrating insurance-related barriers to delivering crucial healthcare to your patients. Our guide can help! We highlight steps for overcoming these obstacles, including appealing insurance denials, filing parity complaints, and advocating for better reimbursement rates. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/ectMSei4 

NEW! We developed an interactive map that tracks #Medicaidreentry work across the country, including plans for implementation and opportunities for public engagement, that health and justice stakeholders nationwide can utilize.      “Ensuring that people returning home from jail and prison can access transitional health care is a critical component of #publichealth – and it’s also vital to promoting #racialjustice. Medicaid reentry presents an opportunity for states to invest in brighter futures for our shared communities, and we hope our resource helps in the effort to implement these waivers in every state,” says LAC’s Vice President of Health & Justice Policy Gabrielle de la Gueronniere. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e-RZWwnm