Public Health

Federal policymaking in many different areas can have a powerful impact on public health and the lives of those with mental illness and substance use disorders. APA works to inform policymaking to curb preventable hospitalizations, incarcerations, and suicides.

Public Comments and Letters

• 2021

  MAY 5 | Suicide Prevention

  APA and Mental Health Liaison Group Push for Congress to Re-Pass Mental Health Bills Passed by the House in 2020

  MAY 5

  APA Submits Comments on Proposed Modificationsto the HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Coordinated Care

  APR 23 | Gun Violence

  APA Joins Group of 6 in Supporting Gun Violence Prevention as a Public Health Concern

  MAR 22 | Patient Safety

  APA Expresses Concern to the Federal Bureau of Prisons Regarding Baton Use in Federal Prisons

  FEB 24

  APA Joins Criminal Justice, Mental Health Groups Urging Passage of the Medicaid ReEntry Act in COVID-19 Package

• 2020

  DEC 22

  APA Responds to HHS RFI on Effective and Innovative Approaches/Best Practices in Health Care in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

  NOV 23 | Patient Safety

  APA Comments on DEA's Proposed Rule on Registering Emergency Medical Services Agencies Under the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017

  OCT 16

  APA and Mental Health Groups Voice Support for New Adverse Childhood Experiences Bill

  SEP 22 | Patient Safety

  APA, AMA, and Other Medical Groups Oppose H.R. 884/S. 2772, Defining “Physician” under Medicare

  AUG 25 | Patient Safety

  APA Opposes Oregon Measure to Allow Psilocybin for the Treatment of Mental Health Conditions

  AUG 13 | Tobacco

  APA Joins Coalition Letter in Support of Tobacco Cessation Treatment during COVID-19

  JUL 15 | Suicide Prevention

  APA Calls on Congress to Pass Energy and Commerce Bills on Telehealth, Parity and Suicide in Mark Up

  APR 20 | Suicide Prevention

  APA Spearheads Justice Community Letter Urging Congress to Support Medicaid ReEntry and Crisis Interventions Funding During COVID-19

  MAR 20 | Suicide Prevention

  APA and Other Mental Health Allies Propose Government Action for Suicide Prevention during COVID-19

  MAR 16 | Suicide Prevention

  APA Joins Mental Health Groups in Comments to FCC on 988 Suicide Hotline Bill

  JAN 17 | Patient Safety

  APA Expresses Concern Over Medicare Regulations Overriding Existing State Scope of Practice Laws

• 2019

  DEC 26 | Patient Safety

  APA Signs AMA Letter Concerning CMS Regulation Affecting Scope of Practice

  DEC 11 | Suicide Prevention

  APA Supports Legislation Allowing Patients to Override Unnecessary or Harmful Step Therapy Protocols

  DEC 11 | Suicide Prevention

  APA Emphasizes Support to Both Chambers for the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019:  House Letter |  Senate Letter

  DEC 4 | Suicide Prevention

  APA Joins MHLG to support Rep. Beyer’s H.R. 4309, the Barriers to Suicide Act

  DEC 4 | Suicide Prevention

  APA Joins Mental Health Liaison Group's Coalition Letter Supporting Suicide Screening in the ER

  DEC 3

  APA and Coalition Outline Policy Reforms to Improve Mental Health Care in Criminal Justice System

  DEC 2 | Suicide Prevention

  APA Joins Mental Health Groups to Praise STANDUP Act for Suicide Prevention

  NOV 18 | Tobacco

  APA Joins Joint Statement to Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes

  OCT 29 | Patient Safety

  APA Joins AMA Letter to HHS Concerning Supervision and Reimbursement of Non-physician Medicare Professionals

  OCT 17 | Gun Violence

  Coalition Letter on Firearm-Related Morbidity and Mortality Prevention Research

  OCT 16 | Trauma Informed Care

  Mental Health Groups Praise RISE from Trauma Act

  JUL 22 | Trauma Informed Care

  Coalition Letter Supporting the RISE from Trauma Act

  JUL 1 | Subtopic PLaceholder

  APA Comments on FDA's Request for Scientific Data and Information About Products Containing Cannabis

  JUN 27

  Coalition Letter in Support of the Community Re-entry through Addiction Treatment (CREATE) Opportunities Act

  APR 8 | Trauma Informed Care

  Joint Letter to Senate Appropriations Requesting Crisis Services Funding

  APR 2

  APA, as part of HEMHA, Welcomes Secretary Cardona and Advocates for Accessible, Effective College Mental Health Services

  MAR 28 | Trauma Informed Care

  APA Co-Signs Letter to House Appropriations Committee Supporting Increased Crisis Set-aside Funding

  MAR 20

  APA signs Mental Health Liaison Group letter to Rep. Napolitano & Katko supporting the Mental Health Services for Students Act

  MAR 5

  APA Joins CSOO Senate Letter of Support for The Advancing Cutting-Edge (ACE) Research Act