In March, The Kennedy Forum announced a new webinar series for employers titled “Prioritizing Employee Mental Health Care & Internal Supports.” Participants will explore the true impact of mental health and addiction in the workplace, review pros and cons of various internal support options, and learn to collaborate with insurers to ensure better access to … Continued
Christine Finnigan recently sued DuPage County (Chicago) Sheriff James Mendrick for failing to facilitate her methadone treatment while she served 30 days for an alcohol-related DUI. Methadone is an opioid-based medication that blocks cravings for drugs like heroin and OxyContin and lessens the chance of an overdose. The Kennedy Forum Illinois wrote a letter in … Continued
Investments contained in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which recently passed the House, will help to heal our country in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kennedy Forum and other advocates are grateful for the $4 billion in additional funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Health … Continued
This month, The Kennedy Forum played a pivotal role in the introduction of new legislation in California that will transform the way the state responds to mental health emergencies. Assembly Bill 988 will efficiently implement in California the new nationwide 988 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline created last year by the Federal Communications … Continued
This month, The Kennedy Forum was honored to host a webinar titled “Shocking Injustices: Mental Healthcare & Black Americans” as part of the 2021 National Day of Service to honor the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More below. Policy Pulse The Kennedy Forum, along with Mental Health America and the National Alliance On … Continued
This summer, as many as one in four young adults reported seriously considering suicide in the 30 days before being surveyed. Just last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 81,000 overdose deaths between May 2019 and May 2020, the highest number ever recorded in a one-year period. While the U.S. … Continued
As overdose rates rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic, access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)—the gold standard for treating opioid use disorder (OUD)—has never been more important. Unfortunately, federal law makes it difficult for individuals with OUD to receive the lifesaving drug buprenorphine, which reduces withdrawal symptoms, prevents relapses, and reduces mortality. To prescribe buprenorphine, … Continued
The following is a statement from former U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, lead author of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Federal Parity Law) and founder of The Kennedy Forum: “I applaud President-elect Biden’s decision to nominate Boston Mayor Marty Walsh as Labor Secretary. As a person living in long-term sobriety who is … Continued
It has been a challenging year to say the least. But there have been several significant advances in mental health equity that deserve special recognition. Below we review five critical milestones. #1 California Senate Bill 855 In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 855, making California a national leader in mental health and addiction parity. The … Continued
This month, former U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy mourned the passing of friend and former U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad, who was the lead Republican cosponsor of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. “As a person who lived in long-term recovery, Jim’s empathy and understanding of the brain disease of addiction and … Continued
