ACA News

Expiration of COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration

On July 25th, 2020, the provisions supporting Licensed Professional Counselors within the National Emergency Declaration are set to expire. ACA is aware of our members? concerns, and has supported actions to request an extension to the national emergency.

House Energy & Commerce Committee Markup Information

The House Energy & Commerce Committee held a markup of 30 health-related bills. The Committee stated there will not be another markup until September.

Senate Democrats Introduce the Economic Justice Act

The proposed Economic Justice Act seeks to deliver ten financial investments over a period of five years to communities of color to support various initiatives such as child care, mental health, and job development.

Senate Republicans Unveil HEALS Act

Senate Republicans released a package of bills that represents their first negotiation position with House and Senate Democrats for the next COVID-19 relief package.

Congressional Task Force Examines the Benefits of Telebehavioral Health

The House Ways & Means Committee?s Rural and Underserved Communities Health Task Force held its first roundtable discussion. The Task Force did not indicate when it would meet next. We will continue to monitor and update.

Veteran Affairs Rural Health Advisory Committee to Host Public Meeting

Join one of three meetings hosted by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs ? Rural Health Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on rural health care issues affecting Veterans.

HHS Announces $20 Billion in New Phase 3 Provider Relief Funding for Behavioral Health Providers

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Phase 3 of the General Distribution of the Provider Relief Fund, which will allocate another portion of provider relief funding.

Trump Administration Extends the National Health Emergency

The Trump administration is renewing the public health emergency declaration for the COVID?19 pandemic.

California Enacts Historic Parity Law (SB 855)

SB 855 was enacted, which updated California health code in accordance with best practices and nationally recognized standards of care for mental health treatment across the full spectrum of care, including early interventions.

MedPAC Meeting

On November 9, 2020, MedPAC held a public meeting on the expansion of telehealth in Medicare.

State Affairs: Interstate Compact Updates

The Interstate Compact for Licensure (?Counseling Compact?) is nearing completion. The process has been largely successful, and we are looking to 2021 for introduction to state legislatures.

Newly Signed Bill Creates Pathway for More Counselors in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs

On October 23rd, ACA shared the news that Senate Bill 785 (S.785), The Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, was signed into law. This law will provide veterans improved assistance as they transition from the ...

Suicide Prevention Policy During COVID and Beyond

A recent study measuring the impact of COVID-19 on mental health in America found that Americans were reporting a rate of depression three times higher than what was reported in 2019. Awareness of the social determinants of suicide and suicide ...

Counselors Are Voting in 2020

Election Day 2020 will be here in the blink of an eye. Are you registered to vote? Does ACA support candidates? How will you vote during the pandemic?

LGBTQ Rights Watch: Transgender Healthcare

We’ve heard our members’ concerns about the recent anti-LGBTQ healthcare proposal set forth by the Trump Administration and remain dedicated to providing you with leadership on these critical issues. It is certainly true that we find ...

Using Social Media to Advocate

Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) provides opportunities for legislators to share information about governmental operations and public policy, which supports the fundamental democratic role while also permitting them to ...

ACA Urges Congressional Leaders to Address the Mental Health Impact of COVID-19

The Mental Health Liaison Group, of which ACA is a member, has submitted a letter to both the Energy and Commerce and the Ways and Means committees urging them to address the mental health and addictions impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In ...

The CARES Act Stimulus Payments - Part I: Eligibility

April 21, 2020 During the week of April 13, 2020, Americans began receiving Economic Impact Payments, better known as “stimulus checks,” most of which were deposited directly into their bank accounts. These stimulus checks are one ...

The CARES Act Stimulus Payments - Part II: How Much Should You Expect and More Information

 HOW MUCH WILL I RECEIVE?Individuals whose AGI does not exceed $75,000 will receive $1,200. Head of household filers whose AGI does not exceed $112,500 will also receive $1,200. Married couples filing joint returns whose AGI does not exceed ...

COVID-19 UPDATES FOR STATES

We understand that it has been a long couple of weeks as all of us shift gears in our professional and personal lives in order to address the COVID-19 crisis impacting the entire country. ACA’s Government Affairs and Public Policy team remain ...