ACA News

Senate Healthcare Bill 2.0 Unveiled, Delayed

Senator McConnell released the revised Senate repeal-and-replace healthcare bill last week and planned to begin voting on it this week. However, that plan is on hold as Senator McCain recovers from surgery.

ACA Applauds Congressman John Katko for Introducing Bill to Authorize Medicare Reimbursement for Professional Counselors

Congressman Katko of New York is fighting for the mental health rights of America?s senior citizens.

Senate Healthcare Bill Update - No Fireworks This Week

With Congress in recess, a revised bill is being evaluated with the goal of attracting just enough support from conservatives and moderates in the Senate.

Dr. Gerard Lawson Assumes Role as 66th President of the American Counseling Association

Gerard Lawson, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS is an associate professor in the counselor education program at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

Mental Health Coverage Requirements If States Get A Waiver

To see what could happen if the repeal and replace bill repeals mental health as a required coverage by granting waivers to states, we can look at coverage before it was a requirement in Obamacare.

Senate Approaches Vote On Health Care Reform

The Senate Republicans are about to unveil their repeal and replace bill with the goal of voting on it next week. Details remain sketchy.

Congressman Lieu Receives ACA Award for Work Banning Conversion Therapy

Congressman Ted Lieu received the Illumination Award for passing the nation's first statewide conversion therapy ban in California and for introducing similar legislation in Washington.

ACA Kicks Off LGBTQ Counseling Event by Honoring Rep. Ted Lieu

Congressman Lieu of California will accept an award for his efforts to ban conversion therapy for minors during the opening reception of Illuminate.

ACA Promotes Licensure Portability Model

Plan would allow counselors who are licensed and in good standing in one state to become seamlessly licensed in other states, should they move.

ACA Releases Licensure Portability Model

What's a CBO Score and Why Does It Matter?

CBO scores are the official cost-benefit analysis of bills introduced in Congress. The score for the healthcare reform bill the House already passed came out yesterday. It actually matters more now that the bill is in the Senate than it did for the ...

ACA Hosts First Federal Budget Briefing Webinar to Address Education Cuts That Will Impact School Counselors

President Trump's proposed education budget would eliminate all funding for the Student Support and Academic Enrichments (SSAE) grant program (Title IV, Part A), a federal program that helps school districts provide a well-rounded education by funding ...

White House Budget Cuts Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs

The President's budget targets SAMHSA programs as well as Medicare, threatening mental health treatment for millions.

Education Cuts Will Impact School Counselors

ACA's first budget briefing will cover Department of Education cuts and the impact on school counselors. Sign up for the Thursday webinar to learn more.

Nevada Passes Ban On Conversion Therapy For Minors

Governor Sandoval signs bill banning conversion therapy on minors in Nevada, which becomes the ninth state to do so.

ACA Media Spotlight: Addressing the Needs of Trans Military Service Members and Veterans

ACA 2017 Conference & Expo presenters Megan Shaine and Deanna Cor recently wrote an article for Curve magazine about transgender mental health in the military, amid uncertainties in the current political climate, and the roles professional counselors ...

Vote To Repeal Obamacare, Reduce Mental Health Benefits Scheduled Today in the House

The House will vote today on a bill that reduces Medicaid funding and eliminates the guarantees that insurers will provide mental health services and will cover preexisting conditions. Contact your representatives.

Medicaid, Behavioral Health, And Congress

Medicaid plays a key role in providing mental health care for millions of people, and the funding for that role is significantly reduced in the House healthcare reform bill. The Senate is now writing its own bill. State governments may end up ...

ACA Approved to Offer CE Credits in New York

The American Counseling Association (ACA) was recently approved by the State Board for Mental Health Practitioners to offer CE credits to Licensed Mental Health Counselors in New York.

Connecticut Passes Ban On Conversion Therapy For Minors

Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy signed a bill banning conversion therapy on minors Wednesday, the same day it was passed by the Senate. Connecticut becomes the eighth state to do so.