Affect Public Policy

This week in Congress: Congress has recently returned from a long holiday recess when many members were chastened by constituents’ criticism of their performance. However, increased bi-partisanship and improved legislative productivity are not on the congressional horizon. Instead, congressional plans include only very modest legislative output up through the November election, with many major decisions pushed off until December and next year. In health care, the House plans to address Medicare physician payments and will consider, but not enact, legislation to advance Medicare premium support and to repeal and replace the President’s health care reform act. Meanwhile, the Senate expects to accomplish little more than addressing Medicare physician fee payments. The most pressing health item on the agenda is fixing Medicare fees for physicians. See AMHCA’s latest report for details. (January 27, 2012)

MAJOR NEWS: TRICARE Rules Authorize Independent Practice for "CMHCs"

Keep public policy supporting you, your profession, and your clients with AMHCA's powerful advocacy initiatives in Congress and state legislatures.

Federal Lobbying Efforts

At the Federal level, we work with Congress and the Executive Branch to achieve the following objectives:

• to ensure that counselors are recognized in applicable federal laws
• to educate policymakers about the role of mental health counselors
• to increase lawmakers' awareness about mental illness and its effects on people's lives
• to enhance public and private insurance plans so mental health benefits are offered in parity with medical and surgical benefits

Legislative Update (Medicare provider status, TRICARE update, and healthcare reform) (January 27, 2012)

Congressional Update (Medicare provider status and agency funding) (December 22, 2011)

Congressional Update (Medicare provider status, veteran services, agency funding, and acting CMHS director)  (December 12, 2011)

Q & A about VA Job Qualification Standards (October 2010)

Medicare Eligibility Template Letter (September 2010)

Fast Facts for Mental Health Counselors (Stats on health reform, mental health, and the military) (June 2010)

How do LMHCs compare with LCSWs-Fact Sheet for Policymakers (June 2010)

TRICARE Bill Questions & Answers (May 2010)

House TRICARE Letter, Cosponsor H.R. 3839 (June 2010)

Issue Brief: Independent LMHC Practice under TRICARE (May 2010)

Issue Brief: Medicare Reimbursement (May 2009)

Medicare Senate District Meeting Script (August 2010)

Issue Brief: Veterans' Access to Mental Health Counselors (May 2009)

White Paper on Wellstone-Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 Interim Final Rule (produced by AHP Consulting Group, February 2010)

How to Contact Congress

State Lobbying Efforts

At the state level, we work with AMHCA state chapters to help enact counselor licensure laws and other legislation to ensure that members maintain their right to practice.

AMHCA's legislative advocacy program provides grassroots support for the association's lobbying in Washington, and is necessary for the success of AMHCA's legislative agenda. To join, call AMHCA at 1-800-326-2642. Please provide your name, address, phone numbers and e-mail address. Get involved—join now!