ACA News

VA Issues New Qualification Standards for Professional Counselors

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued important new qualification standards for licensed professional counselors on April 3, a step the American Counseling Association has been pushing the agency to take for many years. The revised standards ...

Conversion Therapy Bans Become Law in Three More States

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R), Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) and Hawaii Governor David Ige (D) recently signed into law in their states measures that ban the practice of conversion therapy on minors. The new laws impose fines, or license ...

New Hampshire, Maryland Conversion Therapy Bans Become Law

ACA Supports the New Laws The governor of New Hampshire, Chris Sununu, and the governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, recently signed into law measures that would ban the practice of conversion therapy on minors. The bills would impose fines or license ...

New Bill Authorizes Medicare Reimbursement for Counselors as Part of the Fight Against Opioids

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) introduced a bill April 17 that takes a multi-pronged approach to combatting the opioid epidemic and includes language that would allow mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to participate in the ...

Maryland Legislature Passes Conversion Therapy Bill

The Maryland State Legislature recently passed a measure that would ban the practice of conversion therapy on minors. The bill now goes to Governor Hogan for his signature. The legislation would impose fines or license suspension or revocation on ...

ACA Member Support Helped to Significantly Increase Funding for Student Mental Health Programs

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! The American Counseling Association (ACA) thanks its members for supporting ACA efforts to increase funding for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant Program (SSAE). You heard our call. With support from ...

Medicare Reimbursement Measure Builds Momentum

The American Counseling Association’s signature legislative priority—Medicare reimbursement for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)—gained support and momentum in three ways over the past few weeks. As a result, everyone in favor ...

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY): Health Care Advocate, Champion of Counseling for Veterans

?We are saddened by the sudden death of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter,? American Counseling Association CEO Richard Yep said.

Washington State Passes Bill Banning Conversion Therapy on Minors

The Washington State Legislature passed a measure that bans conversion therapy on minors. Washington Governor Jay Inslee (D) is expected to sign the bill soon. (This bill was signed into law by the governor on March 28th.) The legislation would impose ...

ACA CEO Richard Yep's Congressional Testimony on Opioids and Medicare Reimbursement Legislation

Responding to a request for policy recommendations on the opioid crisis, ACA CEO Richard Yep has written to the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee concerning the role counselors play in fighting the opioid crisis.  Mr. ...

Spending Deal Clears Way for Action on 2018 Health-Care Programs

Congress unexpectedly passed a wide-ranging budget deal that should avoid any further spending crises this year and allow completion of the 2018 spending plan including health-care programs..

ACA Takes Action Against State-Based Legislation Threatening Licensure for Counselors

Attacks on couselor licensure boards are becoming more frequent. ACA is working with Arizona counselors to fight a bill that would eliminate the licensure process for counselors and other mental health professionals in that state.

ACA Participates in the American Association of State Counseling Boards Conference

Staff from the American Counseling Association attended the national counseling licensure boards conference to keep up with changes in licensing and to discuss portability with licensure board members.

December Federal/State Update: Washington Was Busy But Punted on Funding the Government

Congress earned its pay for one month by passing a huge tax cut and the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act among other bills, but punted on finally passing the bill to keep all the federal agencies funded for 2018.

O Bamacare, O Bamacare, How Long Will You Sur-vi-ive?

Obamacare will likely lose younger, healthier customers because Congress repealed the individual mandate in the tax bill this month, but current enrollment is surprisingly strong. The program's future is still up in the air.

Final Tax Bill Heads To A Vote With Changes Important To Counselors

The Conference Committee has worked out a compromise between the House and Senate tax bills. Obamacare and grad students have been among the main points of discussion for counselors

ACA Testimony at the Senate HELP Committee Hearing on Opioids

ACA's Testimony informed the Senate HELP Committee about the important role counselors play in fighting the opioid crisis across the country.

Study Shows Benefits Of Affordable Care Act In Access to Mental Health Care

A Vanderbilt study shows that access to care increased for those with moderate and severe mental illness after the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

ACA Government Affairs Attends Municipal Mental Health Conference

ACA attended a conference with representatives from cities across the country to exchange ideas about improving mental health programs and discuss federal programs that impact mental health services.

Four Important Ways the Tax Bills Affect Healthcare and Education

The House and Senate have passed tax bills that make big changes to healthcare and graduate education. A conference committee is about to begin finalizing the legislation.