The County Countdown – August 7, 2023

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BlogEvery other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.The County Countdown – August 7, 2023August 7, 2023August 7, 2023, 3:00 pm
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Blog
The County Countdown – August 7, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Members of Congress are away from D.C. for August recess. This is an ideal time for counties to engage with federal representatives by showcasing key projects and operations. Before jumping into our countdown, consider how you might use this recess period to strengthen intergovernmental relationships.
Watch the above video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues our members tackled at this year’s conference.
1. American County Platform
Revisions to the American County Platform were approved at NACo's Annual Conference last month.
- Through the collective effort of over 700 steering committee members, along with our Board of Directors, NACo's membership ratified more than 140 resolutions and platform changes.
- What’s next? This document will guide our advocacy efforts throughout the coming year.
2. Mental Health & MIEP
The Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) strips federal health benefits from individuals admitted to jail before they are convicted of a crime, violating their constitutional rights and presumption of innocence.
This policy strains local judicial, law enforcement, public safety, and human services systems, contributing to higher recidivism rates and poorer health outcomes.
We urge counties to contact Congress in support of two bipartisan bills:
- The Reentry Act: Facilitates Medicaid payments for services prior to an individual's release.
- The Due Process Continuity of Care Act: Allows pre-trial detainees access to Medicaid benefits if their state chooses.
3. PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” pose significant health and environmental threats, including the potential contamination of drinking water.
- Regulatory action: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now stepping in with regulatory actions addressing PFAS.
- The county role: Given our multifaceted role as owners, users and regulators of water resources, county governments stand at the forefront of combating PFAS exposure.
4. Mental Health Parity
As key intergovernmental partners, county representatives attended a recent White House announcement on mental health parity.
- The news: A proposed rule seeks to implement the existing Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity law, originally passed in 2008.
- Echoing NACo's advocacy focus, this proposal is set to enhance intergovernmental relations while catering to the growing demand for mental health solutions.
Stay Tuned!
The County Countdown will be taking a short hiatus during the August recess.
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.2023-08-07Blog2023-08-07
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Members of Congress are away from D.C. for August recess. This is an ideal time for counties to engage with federal representatives by showcasing key projects and operations. Before jumping into our countdown, consider how you might use this recess period to strengthen intergovernmental relationships.
Watch the above video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues our members tackled at this year’s conference.
1. American County Platform
Revisions to the American County Platform were approved at NACo's Annual Conference last month.
- Through the collective effort of over 700 steering committee members, along with our Board of Directors, NACo's membership ratified more than 140 resolutions and platform changes.
- What’s next? This document will guide our advocacy efforts throughout the coming year.
2. Mental Health & MIEP
The Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) strips federal health benefits from individuals admitted to jail before they are convicted of a crime, violating their constitutional rights and presumption of innocence.
This policy strains local judicial, law enforcement, public safety, and human services systems, contributing to higher recidivism rates and poorer health outcomes.
We urge counties to contact Congress in support of two bipartisan bills:
- The Reentry Act: Facilitates Medicaid payments for services prior to an individual's release.
- The Due Process Continuity of Care Act: Allows pre-trial detainees access to Medicaid benefits if their state chooses.
3. PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” pose significant health and environmental threats, including the potential contamination of drinking water.
- Regulatory action: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now stepping in with regulatory actions addressing PFAS.
- The county role: Given our multifaceted role as owners, users and regulators of water resources, county governments stand at the forefront of combating PFAS exposure.
4. Mental Health Parity
As key intergovernmental partners, county representatives attended a recent White House announcement on mental health parity.
- The news: A proposed rule seeks to implement the existing Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity law, originally passed in 2008.
- Echoing NACo's advocacy focus, this proposal is set to enhance intergovernmental relations while catering to the growing demand for mental health solutions.
Stay Tuned!
The County Countdown will be taking a short hiatus during the August recess.
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Blog
The County Countdown – September 26, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we're covering this week. -
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Mental Health First Aid, a skills-based training administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in their peers, friends and colleaguepagepagepage<h3><strong>WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?</strong></h3>
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Reports & Toolkits
American Rescue Plan Resource Hub
In March of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 authorized the $350 billion State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund (Recovery Fund), which provided $65.1 billion in direct, flexible aid to every county in America.Reports & Toolkitsdocument03092:00 pmReports & Toolkits<p>In March of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 authorized the $350 billion State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund (Recovery Fund), which provided $65.1 billion in direct, flexible aid to
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Environment, Energy & Land Use Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to air, water, energy, and land use, including water resources/management, stormwater, pesticides, air quality standards, solid, hazardous, and nuclear waste handling, transport, and disposal, national energy policy, renewable/alternative energy, alternative fuel vehicles, energy facility siting, electricity utility restructuring, pipeline safety, oil spills, superfund/brownfields, eminent domain, land use, coastal management, oceans, parks and recreation.pagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to air, water, energy, and land use, including water resources/management, stormwater, pesticides, air quality standards, solid, hazardous, and nuclear waste handling, transport, and disposal,
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Finance, Pensions & Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to the financial resources of counties, fiscal management, federal assistance, municipal borrowing, county revenues, federal budget, federal tax reform, elections and Native American issues. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2023-2024 2023 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to the financial resources of counties, fiscal management, federal assistance, municipal borrowing, county revenues, federal budget, federal tax reform, elections and Native American issues.</p>
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Opioid Solutions Center
NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.Reports & Toolkitsdocument10123:30 pmReports & Toolkits<p>NACo's Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.
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