Affect Public Policy

This week in Congress: AMHCA asks its LMHCs to email or call their U.S. Representatives asking that they cosponsor, H.R. 3839, a bill that, if passed and enacted, would allow all LMHCs to practice independently under TRICARE. The more supporters this has in the House among House members, the easier it will be to argue the Senate's language should be broadened. Please refer to the left side of the screen for a template letter. AMHCA realizes the Senate bill language is not ideal and will work to get it tweaked once it advances to conference with the House bill. In the meantime, for the legislation to progress, AMHCA asks members to enlist their legislators as cosponsors of the Senate bill, S. 3371. This best be done by writing or calling your U.S. Senator and asking that he/she support S. 3371 as a cosponsor.

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

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)

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, contact AMHCA Director of Legislative Affairs, Julie A. Clements, J.D, at jclements@amhca.org or 1-800-326-2642, ext. 105. Please provide your name, address, phone numbers and e-mail address. Get involved—join now!

State Coordinators for Legislative Advocacy