December 2015
The Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act of 2015
(S.993) will amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act enabling the Attorney General to grant funding for eligible entities which aim to collaboratively map and implement programs for mentally ill inmates both during and after time in jail or prison.
The Attorney General is now authorized to award grants for:
Introduced: 04/16/15 Passed by Senate: 12/10/15
(S.993) will amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act enabling the Attorney General to grant funding for eligible entities which aim to collaboratively map and implement programs for mentally ill inmates both during and after time in jail or prison.
The Attorney General is now authorized to award grants for:
- Collaborative programs which coordinate and implement community-based crisis services.
- Enhancement of correctional facility capabilities to provide the clinical, medical, and social needs of inmates including appropriate mental health and substance abuse treatment.
- Development of comprehensive training programs, protocols, and systems for law enforcement, mental health, substance abuse, housing, corrections, and emergency medical service personnel to provide coordinated assistance to individuals with unique needs.
Introduced: 04/16/15 Passed by Senate: 12/10/15
The Minority Diabetes Initiative Act
(H.R. 4209) will amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to physicians and community-based organizations for a variety of diabetes-related health services including public education on diabetes prevention and control, and routine health care for diabetic patients, eye care, foot care and treatment for kidney disease and other complications of diabetes.
Diabetes can lead to serious complications including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage, lower-limb amputations, or even death. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. and disproportionately affects racial and economically disadvantaged minority groups in America. African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and Asians have a 50-100% higher prevalence of diabetes, as well as a higher rate of complications or death from diabetes than White Americans. By improving funding for minority health initiatives, diseases such as diabetes which disproportionately affect minorities could steadily decrease in prevalence.
Introduced: 12/10/15
(H.R. 4209) will amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to physicians and community-based organizations for a variety of diabetes-related health services including public education on diabetes prevention and control, and routine health care for diabetic patients, eye care, foot care and treatment for kidney disease and other complications of diabetes.
Diabetes can lead to serious complications including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage, lower-limb amputations, or even death. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. and disproportionately affects racial and economically disadvantaged minority groups in America. African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and Asians have a 50-100% higher prevalence of diabetes, as well as a higher rate of complications or death from diabetes than White Americans. By improving funding for minority health initiatives, diseases such as diabetes which disproportionately affect minorities could steadily decrease in prevalence.
Introduced: 12/10/15
The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act
(H.R. 22) was signed into law December 4, 2015 by President Obama. The FAST Act is a five-year, $305 billion reauthorization of federal surface transportation policy. The law includes increased funding for bicycling and pedestrian projects ($850 million per year by 2018 and through 2020) such as “Safe Routes to Schools” and the first-ever federal “Complete Streets” language. Public health advocates, including Trust for America's Health (TFAH), are encouraged to work with federal and state partners to learn more about the next steps for implementation and how transportation policy can help promote healthier communities.
Introduced: 01/06/2015 Signed into Law: 12/04/2015
(H.R. 22) was signed into law December 4, 2015 by President Obama. The FAST Act is a five-year, $305 billion reauthorization of federal surface transportation policy. The law includes increased funding for bicycling and pedestrian projects ($850 million per year by 2018 and through 2020) such as “Safe Routes to Schools” and the first-ever federal “Complete Streets” language. Public health advocates, including Trust for America's Health (TFAH), are encouraged to work with federal and state partners to learn more about the next steps for implementation and how transportation policy can help promote healthier communities.
Introduced: 01/06/2015 Signed into Law: 12/04/2015
Public Health Implications of the Regulation of Marijuana
Decriminalization of marijuana has been supported by many health equity advocates because of disparities in law enforcement and imprisonment for marijuana possession among racial and ethnic groups. Of the 8.2 million marijuana arrests between 2001 and 2010, 88% were for minor possession. Despite roughly equal usage rates, Blacks are 3.73 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana. Within Pennsylvania, that rate rose to 7.5 in 2010.=. Nationwide, the arrest data revealed one consistent trend: significant racial bias. Disproportionate arrests force specific groups of people into the criminal justice system and those with convictions have a significantly harder time finding employment, enrolling in education institutions, obtaining access to health insurance, and ultimately, providing for their families. This creates a ripple effect in minority households
for generations leading to cyclical impoverishment, poor health, and lack of access to opportunities.
In the age of mass incarceration, or "targeted" incarceration, a term used by Dr. Marc Lamont Hill to emphasize racial inequality in our judicial system, steps are being taken to decrease the number of non-violent minorities arrested for marijuana possession.
Presidential candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders proposed the Ending Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2015 (S.2237). This bill will repeal all federal penalties for possessing and growing marijuana by removing references to "marijuana" from the Controlled Substances Act. However, transporting marijuana from places where it is illegal to places where it is legal would still be prohibited and subject to penalties of fines and/or imprisonment up to one year. A similar proposed bill, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act (H.R. 1013), will decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and allow states to establish their own laws. Both bills could have a significant impact on how many people, specifically those of color, are arrested for possession of marijuana. This change in language and shift of responsibility from the federal level to state governments could reduce the number of African Americans, and other ethnic minorities, incarcerated and improve access to vital resources for health and success.
Decriminalization of marijuana has been supported by many health equity advocates because of disparities in law enforcement and imprisonment for marijuana possession among racial and ethnic groups. Of the 8.2 million marijuana arrests between 2001 and 2010, 88% were for minor possession. Despite roughly equal usage rates, Blacks are 3.73 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana. Within Pennsylvania, that rate rose to 7.5 in 2010.=. Nationwide, the arrest data revealed one consistent trend: significant racial bias. Disproportionate arrests force specific groups of people into the criminal justice system and those with convictions have a significantly harder time finding employment, enrolling in education institutions, obtaining access to health insurance, and ultimately, providing for their families. This creates a ripple effect in minority households
for generations leading to cyclical impoverishment, poor health, and lack of access to opportunities.
In the age of mass incarceration, or "targeted" incarceration, a term used by Dr. Marc Lamont Hill to emphasize racial inequality in our judicial system, steps are being taken to decrease the number of non-violent minorities arrested for marijuana possession.
Presidential candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders proposed the Ending Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2015 (S.2237). This bill will repeal all federal penalties for possessing and growing marijuana by removing references to "marijuana" from the Controlled Substances Act. However, transporting marijuana from places where it is illegal to places where it is legal would still be prohibited and subject to penalties of fines and/or imprisonment up to one year. A similar proposed bill, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act (H.R. 1013), will decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and allow states to establish their own laws. Both bills could have a significant impact on how many people, specifically those of color, are arrested for possession of marijuana. This change in language and shift of responsibility from the federal level to state governments could reduce the number of African Americans, and other ethnic minorities, incarcerated and improve access to vital resources for health and success.