Help Expand Access to Affordable Housing
11/04/2009
NAMI is currently supporting two major initiatives in Congress; the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2009 and the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. They are designed to expand supportive housing targeted to extremely low income people with severe disabilities, including serious mental illness.

The Affordable Health Care of America Act and Health Care Reform
11/04/2009
U.S. House bill promises key components for people with mental illness. Act Now!

Support Health Care Reform – Contact Your House Member
11/02/2009
The U.S. House of Representatives will begin debate on the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) later this week. It contains a number of critical coverage expansions and improvements critical for people living with mental illness.

NAMI Urges President Obama to Support Increases for NIH & NIMH
10/19/2009
NAMI is joining advocates from across the nation in asking President Obama to make medical research for improving health care a priority and support robust funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Tell Your Member of Congress We Need Parity Regulations!
9/15/2009
After years of hard work by addiction and mental health treatment advocates, consumers, and providers, Congress passed the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 on October 3, 2008. The bill requires the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and Treasury to issue regulations before the effective date for the Act which is January 1, 2010.

Now is the Time to Make Your Voice Heard on Health Reform!
8/27/2009
Members of Congress will be on recess and in their states and districts for one more week, through the Labor Day weekend. They return to Washington to re-commence business on Monday, September 8th. It is important for consumers, families and other advocates to keep the pressure on Congress to move forward on the critical issue of health care reform – and to ensure that improvements in coverage of treatment for mental illnesses are included!

Congress Begins August Recess – Action Needed on Health Reform Legislation
8/10/2009
Individuals living with mental illness and their families are strongly encouraged to reach out to members of Congress as they make appearances in their states and congressional districts over the next four weeks.

Ask Your Senators to Support Parity Regulations!
8/03/2009
After years of hard work by consumers, families and advocates, Congress passed the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 on October 3, 2008. The bill requires the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and Treasury to issue regulations before the effective date for the Act which is January 1, 2010. It is essential the regulations are issued to avoid misinterpretation of the law and to ensure access to critical mental health and addiction services.

Health Reform Effort at a Critical Stage – Your Calls are Needed!
7/29/2009
As Congress moves toward its month-long summer recess, health care legislation has reached a critical stage. While neither the House nor the Senate is expected to move forward on a final vote on legislation this week, a strong grassroots push is needed to keep the pro-reform effort on track going into the fall.

House Approves 2010 Funding for Mental Illness Research and Services
7/24/2009
On July 24, by a vote of 264-153, the House cleared legislation that includes funding for mental illness research and services for FY 2010.

House Votes to Improve and Expand Supportive Housing for Consumers
7/21/2009
This week the House of Representatives cleared legislation making important improvements to the HUD Section 811 program, and in a separate move voted to increase funding for the program by $100 million.

Advocacy Urgently Needed in Support of Health Care Reform!
6/26/2009
Separate House and Senate Committees are now moving forward on comprehensive health reform legislation. With Congress scheduled to begin its week-long July 4th recess this afternoon, it is now a critical time for advocates to contact their House member and Senators to urge support for reform that will expand coverage, control costs and meet the needs of children and adults living serious mental illness.

Help Us Improve Re-entry Support for People with Serious Mental Illness
6/23/2009
A new bill is being introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to help ensure that people re-entering the community can have ready access to the benefits they need to survive.

Act Now to Prevent the Incarceration of People with Mental Illness
6/12/2009
Let your Representatives in the House know that people with mental illness should not be in jail. Write a letter today telling them to support funding for MIOTCRA and the Second Chance Act as part of the 2010 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill.

NAMI and Federal Health Care Reform
6/11/2009
To keep you informed about NAMI’s positions on various health care reform proposals, as well as our efforts to protect and improve coverage for people with mental illnesses in this process, we have created a new website with information about our goals and the proposals we support in the health care reform debate.

NAMI’s Agenda for Federal Health Reform
6/03/2009
President Obama and leaders in Congress are moving forward to draft legislation to reform our nation’s health care system and move toward universal coverage. Read about NAMI's positions on these proposals.

NAMI Comments on the "Request for Information" on upcoming regulations implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
5/28/2009
Read NAMI's comments on the regulations designed to implement the new insurance parity law.

NAMI Responds to Senate Finance Options Papers on Healthcare Reform
5/28/2009
As Congress moves forward toward long awaited action on health reform, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has released several "Policy Option" papers outlining possible alternative approaches to key issues such as coverage expansion, delivery system reform and financing. NAMI has provided responses to the Senate Finance Committee -- both separately and jointly with colleague organizations.

Hearing and GAO Report Focus on the Abusive and Deadly Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Schools
5/21/2009
NAMI applauds the House Education and Labor Committee and its Chairman, George Miller (D-CA) for holding a hearing on May 19th that examined the abusive and deadly use of restraint and seclusion in schools.

Do Your Part To Prevent Suicides And Improve Treatment for Veterans
5/19/2009
A bill has been introduced in Congress to require mental health screening for members of the Armed Forces who are deployed for combat.