Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Extension Act of 2009

1. S. 750, the "Caring for an Aging America Act of 2009," a bill to provide for the establishment of a new geriatric and gerontology loan repayment program. Support all provisions. 2. S. 245/H.R. 468, the "Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging American Act of 2009". This bill addresses the current and future shortage of health care personnel who are trained to care for older adults. Support all provisions. 3. S. 682, the "Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act," to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve mental and behavioral services on college campuses. Support all provisions. 4. S. 697, the "Community Living Assistance Supports and Services Act (CLASS Act)," to amend the Public Health Service Act to help individuals with functional impairments and their families pay for services and supports that they need to maximize their functionality and independence and have choices about community participation, education, and employment. Support all provisions. Support inclusion of provisions of this bill in healht care reform legislation (H.R. 3590). 5. H.R. 1457, the "Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act of 2009," to amend the Public Health Service Act to deem certain geriatric health training to be obligated service for purposes of the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, which provides up to $50,000 to repay student loans in exchange for working for two years in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area. Support all provisions. 6. Discussed with House and Senate staff the need to include older adults in clinical trials. 7. Support comparative effectiveness research focused specifically on treatments for older adults and mental illness. 8. Support programs to reverse the declining numbers of geriatric specialists. 9. Support legislation to make mental health services for older adults an integral part of primary care services in community settings and to extend them to other settings where older adults reside and receive services. 10. Support H.R. 1932/S. 999, the "Child Health Care Crisis Relief Act," to address the national shortage of children's mental health professionals, including school-based professionals, by encouraging more individuals to enter these critical fields. 11. S. 678, "Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2009". Support all provisions, but especially those that strengthen protections for those in the criminal and juvenile justices systems with needs related to mental health and substance abuse. 12. Support H.R. 2901, "Healthy Transitions Act," to provide access to knowledge, skills, and supports that are necessary for a successful transition to adulthood for young adults with mental health disorders. The bill would provide technical and monetary assistance to states as they implement plans to develop a coordinated service delivery system in order to maximize continuity of care and access to services. The bill would also establish planning and implementation grants to assist peer support programs and programs promoting independent living, life skills, employment, and education. 13. Support H.R. 1193, the "Federal Response to Eliminate Easting Disorders Act" (H.R. 1193/S. 3260), to create Centers of Excellence dedicated to research collaboration, create a Center of Epidemiology to study the prevalence, economic impact and related morbidity and mortality rates of eating disorders, provide for evidence-based standards of care, establish education and prevention grant programs for training of health professionals and schools at all levels, provide public service announcements, and enhance access to care for those who suffer from eating disorders. 14. Support H.R. 2531, the "Mental Health in Schools Act of 2009," to authorize competitive grants to local school districts to assist them in early mental health interventions and referrals for treatment, to provide supports for students and their families, and to allow for staff training to be culturally and linguistically appropriate. 15. H. R. 3191 and S. 3698, the "Positive Aging Act," to make mental health services for older adults an integral part of primary care services in community settings and to extend them to other settings where older adults reside and receive services. Support all provisions. 16. Support S. 1857 and H. R. 4204, to establish national centers of excellence for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorders. 17. Support S. 2928, to include direct care workers as a priority for the National Health Care Workforce Commission. 18. Support efforts to strengthen existing Title VII geriatric health professions education programs. 19. Support H.R. 5466, the "SAMHSA Modernization Act of 2010," to reauthorize programs administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Support provisions to improve the accessibility and quality of mental heatlh services for the elderly. 20. Support H.R. 5040, the "Health Information Technology Extension for Behavioral Health Sciences Act of 2010," to extend the meaningful use incentives established through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to mental health and substance abuse providers and facilities, including psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, mental health treatment facilities, clinical psychologists and social workers.

Client expense: $20,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

1. S. 750, the "Caring for an Aging America Act of 2009," a bill to provide for the establishment of a new geriatric and gerontology loan repayment program. Support all provisions. 2. S. 245/H.R. 468, the "Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging American Act of 2009". This bill addresses the current and future shortage of health care personnel who are trained to care for older adults. Support all provisions. 3. S. 682, the "Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act," to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve mental and behavioral services on college campuses. Support all provisions. 4. S. 697, the "Community Living Assistance Supports and Services Act (CLASS Act)," to amend the Public Health Service Act to help individuals with functional impairments and their families pay for services and supports that they need to maximize their functionality and independence and have choices about community participation, education, and employment. Support all provisions. Support inclusion of provisions of this bill in healht care reform legislation (H.R. 3590). 5. H.R. 1457, the "Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act of 2009," to amend the Public Health Service Act to deem certain geriatric health training to be obligated service for purposes of the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, which provides up to $50,000 to repay student loans in exchange for working for two years in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area. Support all provisions. 6. Discussed with House and Senate staff the need to include older adults in clinical trials. 7. Support comparative effectiveness research focused specifically on treatments for older adults and mental illness. 8. Support programs to reverse the declining numbers of geriatric specialists. 9. Support legislation to make mental health services for older adults an integral part of primary care services in community settings and to extend them to other settings where older adults reside and receive services. 10. Support H.R. 1932/S. 999, the "Child Health Care Crisis Relief Act," to address the national shortage of children's mental health professionals, including school-based professionals, by encouraging more individuals to enter these critical fields. 11. S. 678, "Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2009". Support all provisions, but especially those that strengthen protections for those in the criminal and juvenile justices systems with needs related to mental health and substance abuse. 12. Support H.R. 2901, "Healthy Transitions Act," to provide access to knowledge, skills, and supports that are necessary for a successful transition to adulthood for young adults with mental health disorders. The bill would provide technical and monetary assistance to states as they implement plans to develop a coordinated service delivery system in order to maximize continuity of care and access to services. The bill would also establish planning and implementation grants to assist peer support programs and programs promoting independent living, life skills, employment, and education. 13. Support H.R. 1193, the "Federal Response to Eliminate Easting Disorders Act" (H.R. 1193/S. 3260), to create Centers of Excellence dedicated to research collaboration, create a Center of Epidemiology to study the prevalence, economic impact and related morbidity and mortality rates of eating disorders, provide for evidence-based standards of care, establish education and prevention grant programs for training of health professionals and schools at all levels, provide public service announcements, and enhance access to care for those who suffer from eating disorders. 14. Support H.R. 2531, the "Mental Health in Schools Act of 2009," to authorize competitive grants to local school districts to assist them in early mental health interventions and referrals for treatment, to provide supports for students and their families, and to allow for staff training to be culturally and linguistically appropriate. 15. H. R. 3191, the "Positive Aging Act," to make mental health services for older adults an integral part of primary care services in community settings and to extend them to other settings where older adults reside and receive services. Support all provisions. 16. Support S. 1857 and H. R. 4204, to establish national centers of excellence for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorders. 17. Support S. 2928, to include direct care workers as a priority for the National Health Care Workforce Commission. 18. Support efforts to strengthen existing Title VII geriatric health professions education programs. 19. Support H.R. 5466, the "SAMHSA Modernization Act of 2010," to reauthorize programs administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Support provisions to improve the accessibility and quality of mental heatlh services for the elderly. 20. Support H.R. 5040, the "Health Information Technology Extension for Behavioral Health Sciences Act of 2010," to extend the meaningful use incentives established through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to mental health and substance abuse providers and facilities, including psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, mental health treatment facilities, clinical psychologists and social workers.

Client expense: $20,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

1. S. 750, the "Caring for an Aging America Act of 2009," a bill to provide for the establishment of a new geriatric and gerontology loan repayment program. Support all provisions. 2. S. 245/H.R. 468, the "Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging American Act of 2009". This bill addresses the current and future shortage of health care personnel who are trained to care for older adults. Support all provisions. 3. S. 682, the "Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act," to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve mental and behavioral services on college campuses. Support all provisions. 4. S. 697, the "Community Living Assistance Supports and Services Act (CLASS Act)," to amend the Public Health Service Act to help individuals with functional impairments and their families pay for services and supports that they need to maximize their functionality and independence and have choices about community participation, education, and employment. Support all provisions. Support inclusion of provisions of this bill in healht care reform legislation (H.R. 3590). 5. H.R. 1457, the "Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act of 2009," to amend the Public Health Service Act to deem certain geriatric health training to be obligated service for purposes of the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, which provides up to $50,000 to repay student loans in exchange for working for two years in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area. Support all provisions. 6 Discussed with House and Senate staff the need to include older adults in clinical trials. 7. Support comparative effectiveness research focused specifically on treatments for older adults and mental illness. 8 Support programs to reverse the declining numbers of geriatric specialists. 9. Support adoption of a 2:1 cap on age rating in health insurance systems in health care reform legislation (H.R. 3590). 10. Support legislation to make mental health services for older adults an integral part of primary care services in community settings and to extend them to other settings where older adults reside and receive services. 11. H.R. 1932/S. 999, the "Child Health Care Crisis Relief Act," to address the national shortage of children's mental health professionals, including school-based professionals, by encouraging more individuals to enter these critical fields. 12. S. 678, "Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2009". Support all provisions, but especially those that strengthen protections for those in the criminal and juvenile justices systems with needs related to mental health and substance abuse. 13. H.R. 2901, "Healthy Transitions Act," to provide access to knowledge, skills, and supports that are necessary for a successful transition to adulthood for young adults with mental health disorders. The bill would provide technical and monetary assistance to states as they implement plans to develop a coordinated service delivery system in order to maximize continuity of care and access to services. The bill would also establish planning and implementation grants to assist peer support programs and programs promoting independent living, life skills, employment, and education. 14. H.R. 1193, the "Federal Response to Eliminate Easting Disorders Act," to create Centers of Excellence dedicated to research collaboration, create a Center of Epidemiology to study the prevalence, economic impact and related morbidity and mortality rates of eating disorders, provide for evidence-based standards of care, establish education and prevention grant programs for training of health professionals and schools at all levels, provide public service announcements, and enhance access to care for those who suffer from eating disorders. 15. H.R. 2531, the "Mental Health in Schools Act of 2009," to authorize competitive grants to local school districts to assist them in early mental health interventions and referrals for treatment, to provide supports for students and their families, and to allow for staff training to be culturally and linguistically appropriate. 16. H. R. 3191, the "Positive Aging Act," to make mental health services for older adults an integral part of primary care services in community settings and to extend them to other settings where older adults reside and receive services. Support all provisions. 17. Support language in the health care reform bills (H.R. 3590) to ensure coverage of critical services and supplies in a federal benefit standard and to require a fully open, transparent, and inclusive process for development of the standard that ensures full engagement of consumers, patients, workers and providers. 18. Support S. 1857 and H. R. 4204, to establish national centers of excellence for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorders. Support inclusion of that language in the health care reform bill (H.R. 3590). 19. Support H. R. 3590, the health care overhaul bill (the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act") and H. R. 4872, the reconciliation bill (the "Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010") to modify the healht care overhaul bill. 20. Support S. 2928, to include direct care workers as a priority for the National Health Care Workforce Commission and support inclusion of that language in the health care reform bill (H. R. 3590). 25. Support provisions in H.R. 3590, the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," to strengthen existing Title VII geriatric health professions education programs. 26. Support reauthorization of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE