Stay informed and up-to-date on critical policy issues affecting people with mental illness. Below is the latest news related to public policy, legislation, legal issues and advocacy. Also, NAMI's E-News delivers the latest breaking policy developments direct to your inbox. To subscribe or read the latest E-News, see below.

Medicare Drug Benefit Update: 2009 Plan Year Enrollment Begins
11/12/2008
November 15 marks the start of the open enrollment period for the Medicare Part D drug benefit for 2009. During this “open season” period for 2009 drug plan enrollment, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to select prescription drug coverage that goes into effect on January 1, 2009. The open season process ends on December 31.

Congress Adjourns: 2009 Funding Update
10/10/2008
Late last week the House and Senate adjourned and are not expected back in Washington until mid-November for what is expected to be a very short post-election session. In the addition to passing the landmark Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, the House and Senate also last week cleared a funding measure to keep most federal agencies operating at their current levels through March 6, 2009. This “continuing resolution” will keep agencies as the NIMH, SAMHSA and HUD at current FY 2008 funding levels through next year.

Victory on Parity!
10/03/2008
By a vote of 263-171, the House this afternoon gave final approval to the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (HR 1424). President Bush is expected to sign the legislation late today or early tomorrow.

Senate Passes Financial Market Rescue Bill With Mental Illness Parity Included - House Vote Expected Tomorrow
10/02/2008
As widely reported in the press last night, the Senate, by a vote of 74-25, approved a revised version of the financial market rescue package that the House narrowly rejected on Monday. The version of the legislation that the Senate passed last night included an extension of expiring tax breaks that the Senate passed on September 22 by a vote of 93-2. It is this "tax extenders" package (HR 6049) that includes the mental illness insurance parity bill.

Congress to Vote on Funding for Medicaid and NIH Research
9/26/2008
The House and Senate are expected to vote as early as today on an economic stimulus package that includes $19.6 billion in funding for states to make up for expected shortfalls in Medicaid and $1.2 billion in funding for medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

NAMI's E-News is an e-newsletter that keeps you informed about the latest public policy news and advocacy needs. It is a must-read for anyone who cares about transforming America's mental health care system. Subscribe now to have E-News emailed to you, or read past editions in the E-News Archive.