BD SUMHAC Impact Newsletter: April 2024
Greetings!
Dear Friends and Supporters of BD SUMHAC,
Thank you for reading our very first e-newsletter! We are excited to have a new way to communicate with you and share the great work and impact of this growing Coalition.
We are grateful for the support you have given us over the past two years. Your commitment to the mission of BD SUMHAC is saving lives and enables us to offer resources, tools, and advocacy to ensure equitable access to behavioral health care for the bleeding disorders community.
As a community, we break through barriers, provide a path forward, and restore hope for individuals with bleeding disorders and their loved ones.
Who is BD SUMHAC?
The Bleeding Disorders Substance Use and Mental Health Access Coalition (BD SUMHAC) emerged from tragedy. A young man with a bleeding disorder facing a substance use disorder was repeatedly denied access to behavioral health facilities. Without access to the treatment he needed, he overdosed and died. His death shocked the bleeding disorder community, and exposed a critical equity gap in behavioral health access.
In response, a team of passionate community members, representing both national and local bleeding disorder organizations, took action and BD SUMHAC was born. BD SUMHAC’s mission is to advocate for access to appropriate substance use disorder and mental health treatment facilities for all individuals with bleeding disorders, with a focus on inpatient and residential facilities. We provide resources, tools and advocacy for providers, people with bleeding disorders, and their loved ones.
Since day 1, the commitment and dedication of BD SUMHAC’s team members to breaking down barriers to behavioral health access has propelled the work forward at a remarkable rate. In its first two years, BD SUMHAC made presentations at more than 50 in-person and virtual events to raise awareness both inside and outside the bleeding disorders community. From its first meeting with ten people, BD SUMHAC has grown to over 60 team members from 29 states united in mission and it’s making a difference.In addition to the lives that have been changed by this work, BD SUMHAC has made significant progress at the policy level. Learn more about the impact we have had as a community!
BD SUMHAC at NBDF’s Washington Days!
BD SUMHAC was excited to join the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) on March 6-8th for their annual Washington, D.C. event known as "Washington Days" to advocate for the community affected by inheritable blood and bleeding disorders.
During Washington Days, advocates from across the country gather to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for policies and funding priorities that support bleeding disorders, treatment, and patient care. This year, BD SUMHAC members met with legislators to seek support for a sign-on letter to the Department of Health and Human Services to clarify Section 504 to increase access to behavioral health facilities for people with bleeding disorders and other rare conditions.
Washington Days empowers patients, caregivers, and supporters to become effective advocates for change, amplifying their voices, and driving progress at the national level. We are grateful to NBDF for including BD SUMHAC in this important event!
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BD SUMHAC appreciates the generous support of the following organizations. We are grateful for these sponsors and our many other supporters!
