Weekly Memo- 2009 CADA Public Policy Conference – speakers focus on health

2009 CADA Public Policy Conference – speakers focus on health
The exciting round-up of speakers for the 2009 CADA Public
Policy Conference continues with the confirmation of another
four speakers. Among the issues for this year’s conference,
health care reform has reached into many areas of the substance
abuse treatment field. The four latest speakers added
to a stellar line-up include Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Contra
Costa County), Burt McChesney of the California Association
of Veterans’ Services Agencies,
Herb Schultz, Governor Schwarzenegger's
Senior Health Policy
Advisor, and Tom Freese, Director
of the Pacific Southwest
Addiction Treatment Transfer
Center (ATTC).
Senator DeSaulnier is the author
of SB 558 which would
increase the fee on alcohol beverages by a nickel a drink and
create the Alcohol Abuse Treatment Program Fund. The revenue
from the nickel a drink fee is earmarked exclusively for
specific alcohol abuse programs: public education, outreach,
counseling, case management, recovery services, and alcohol
abuse programs..
Burt McChesney of the California Association of Veterans’
Services Agencies (CAVSA) will represent the association’s
statewide consortium of non-profit community-based service
providers working to address the unmet needs of California
veterans and their families. CAVSA works to address the critical
issues facing California veterans: mental and physical
health including substance abuse issues, employment, training,
housing, transition and reintegration. CAVSA member
agencies serve rural and urban populations statewide and are
nationally recognized leaders in homeless veteran services
supported though the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Homeless Programs and a patchwork of private and public
funding.
Herb Schultz, the Governor’s Health Policy Advisor, will address
health care reform. In addition to a number of specific
proposals, Governor Schwarzenegger forged an alliance with
the White House and recently co-hosted a regional White
House Forum on health care.
Tom Freese, Director UCLA ISAP/Pacific Southwest ATTC, will
address medication assisted treatment and how such programs
fit into the discussion of health care reform.
Previously confirmed are Renée Zito, Department of Alcohol
and Drug Programs Director, and Elaine Bush, Chief Deputy
for the Federal Receiver in charge of the California Department
of Corrections and Rehabilitation health care system.
Also invited to speak are Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr. and
Kathy Jett, CDCR Undersecretary Programs. Beall has a package
of health care bills pending in the legislature including a
bill on parity for addiction and mental health treatment in
health insurance, a bill that would establish a Medi-Cal Alcohol
and Drug Screening and Brief Intervention Services Program,
and one that would impose a 10-cent per drink alcohol
excise tax. Jett will cover a number of issues related to heath
and treatment for addiction in the state’s prison population.
The Public Policy Conference is slated for May 5- 6, in Sacramento
at the Sheraton Grand Hotel. The registration fee includes
breakfast and lunch for the two days and access to vendors’ displays. Registration information is available at
caadpe.org. Affordable rates at hotels near the conference
site are still available. They are listed on the CAADPE website

Health care reform gets state, national attention
In a series of initiatives, both Governor Schwarzenegger and
President Obama have called for major health care reform.
The president has announced his plan to create a $634-
billion fund to cut costs for those who have health care coverage
and bring quality care to those who currently have no
insurance. Governor Schwarzenegger has pushed for health
care reform as a priority in his second term in office.
Last week Governor Schwarzenegger and Washington Governor
Chris Gregoire co-hosted the White House-sponsored
health care summit in Los Angeles, the fifth and final in a
series of meetings around the country led by governors and
White House Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes.
Although the Governor’s 2007 health care plan died in the
California Senate he continues to speak out on the need to
extend health care to 6.8 million uninsured people in the
state -- roughly equivalent to the population of Gregoire's
state.
The forum brought together consumer and health care
groups, including CAADPE, unions, insurance companies and
business owners, many of whom were part of Schwarzenegger's
attempt two years ago to provide universal health care.
CAADPE Director Kimberly Bond of Mental Health Systems
participated in the forum.
During the forum, it was noted by Washington State Governor
Chris Gregoire the extent to which untreated substance
abuse drives health care costs and emergency room costs.
Forum participants who have front line perspectives recommended
that substance abuse be addressed in health care
reform. Governor Schwarzenegger acknowledged the need to
address substance abuse. CAADPE members are encouraged
to log onto www.healthreform.gov and www.gov.ca.gov
and enter comments or ask questions.
Giving further indication of the Governor’s interest in health
care reform, Kim Belshé, Secretary of California’s Health and
Human Services Agency, filled in for Schwarzenegger in his
“California Report,” a weekly radio address. Belshé noted that the Administration is “ thrilled that President
Obama shares the Governor’s commitment to
reforming the healthcare system, and ensuring
that every American has access to affordable,
quality care.” She expressed optimism, noting,
“Now we have a partner in the White House, and
this is our opportunity to make expanded health
coverage, affordable health care.” Belshé also
cautioned, “it’s important to realize that there will
be no ‘perfect package’ that everyone will love,”
and called for stakeholders to work together to
find consensus.
Herb Schultz, Schwarzenegger’s health care advisor
will be at the May CADA Public Policy Conference
to continue the discussion and to address
the question of how treatment for substance
abuse fits into comprehensive health care reform.

Training Offered on Buprenorphine Treatment
A free half-day training on Buprenorphine Treatment
will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2009,
8:30 am - 12:30 pm, at the Westin Los Angeles
Airport Hotel.
The lead trainer is Thomas E. Freese, Ph.D., UCLA
ISAP/Pacific Southwest ATTC. 3.5 continuing education
credits/contact hours will be available for
no additional charge for psychologists, registered
nurses, MFTs, LCSWs, and substance abuse counselors.
Pre-registration is required. For information and a
registration form, contact Grant Hovik's at (310)
312-0538 or e-mail
ghovik@ucla.edu