ACA Celebrates The Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 Reaching 100 Bipartisan Cosponsors

We did it! With your help, we’re one big step closer to Medicare reimbursement for professional counselors!

Due in part to your advocacy and support of The Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 (H.R. 945), the bill today has a total of 100 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. Reaching 100 bipartisan cosponsors is a big step toward this bill moving forward to a vote. Thank you for supporting the American Counseling Association’s efforts to get licensed professional counselors reimbursed through Medicare!

 The Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019, which would improve access to mental health services and permit licensed professional counselors (LPCs) to be reimbursed by Medicare, has been introduced in both the House and the Senate. In the House, Representatives John Katko (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced the measure (H.R. 945). In the Senate, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the bill (S. 286).

 The fight isn’t over yet! Due to outdated Medicare rules, licensed professional counselors across the country still cannot serve many clients who are disabled or are age 65 and over—and need the support of Medicare. If your legislator is not a cosponsor of H.R. 945 or S. 286, please continue to contact their offices to let them know that their support is vital to the success of this important legislation.