Congressional Recess Alert

American Counselling Association Call for Advocacy

During congressional recesses, Senators and Representatives will be back at home, presenting a prime opportunity to attend a town hall meeting, schedule a visit, or call or write on the issues of concern to you. Please take a moment to contact your member of Congress to let your voice be heard!

There are three major mental health issues of concern: 

1. Medicare reimbursement for counselors. Senate (S. 690) and House (H.R. 1522) legislation has been introduced which would greatly improve Medicare's mental health benefit, including by covering state-licensed professional counselors under the program. 
   

2. Bipartisan Patient Protection Act. Senate (S. 283) and House (H.R. 526) legislation has been introduced to establish a wide range of consumer protections for health plan enrollees, including prohibiting plans from discriminating against providers on the basis of their type of license, and allowing individuals to hold their health plans liable for treatment  decisions.
   

3. Mental health insurance parity. Senate (S. 543) and House (H.R. 162) legislation has been introduced to require health plans which cover mental health services to do so without use of any restrictions, limits, or financial requirements which are not also used for general medical services.

More information on these issues and on contacting Members of Congress is available on ACA's web page at http://www.counseling.org, and counselors can quickly generate an e-mail or letter on these issues at the ACA internet legislative action center at http://capwiz.com/counseling. 

Also, all Congressional offices can be reached via the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202 > 224-3121. 

Thanks for your help! 

Scott Barstow 
Director of Public Policy and Legislation 
American Counseling Association 
703 823-9800 x234 
800 347-6647 x234 

sbarstow@counseling.org

Opinions expressed in this web site do not necessarily reflect the views of NAMI Santa Cruz County, NAMI California or any affiliated organizations.  We attempt to present a balanced perspective on issues by presenting multiple viewpoints.

Copyright 2005 National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Santa Cruz County, All Rights Reserved.

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