House Passes Moratorium on Medicaid Regulations
Legislative News 5.7.2008
In an effort to decrease entitlement spending, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued regulations that would curtail many Medicaid services and further shift costs to the states.
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Medicare Coverage of Counselors Uncertain
Legislative News 5.5.2008
Last December Congress left for the year having passed a few nominal reforms to the Medicare program. One of those reforms postponed a 10% cut in physician reimbursement for six months. However, a lack of time and available money prevented the Congress from passing any substantial reforms to many of Medicare’s antiquated policies.
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Study Finds Stigma May Still Be Major Barrier to Mental Health Care for Servicemembers
Legislative News 5.5.2008
The American Psychiatric Association released a study on April 30, 2008 that examined the state of mental health care in the military health care system. The study found that stigma remains a major barrier to adequate mental health care for both servicemembers and their families, especially for military spouses.
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Congressional Briefing Will Promote School-Based Mental Health Programs
Legislative News 4.25.2008
On Thursday, May 8th, the House Mental Health Caucus is sponsoring a Congressional Briefing to focus on the value of school-based mental health programs as key components of a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reauthorization package.
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Department of Education Issues Proposed Rules on Student Privacy
Legislative News 4.11.2008
The U.S. Department of Education published in the March 24, 2008, Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
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32 House Members Sign Letter in Support of School Counseling Program
Legislative News 3.27.2008
In an effort to increase funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP), 32 members of the U.S. House of Representatives (28 Democrats and 4 Republicans) have signed and sent a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.
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House Passes Historic Mental Health Parity Legislation!
Legislative News 3.7.2008
On March 5th the House of Representatives passed comprehensive legislation requiring private health insurance plans to use the same treatment limitations and financial requirements for mental health and addictive disorder coverage as is used for other covered services.
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Urge Your U.S. Representative to Sign the Langevin-Ehlers Letter Requesting Funding for (ESSCP)
Legislative News 3.3.2008
ACTION NEEDED: Call your Representative and urge him/her to show support for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP) by signing onto the Langevin-Ehlers Dear Colleague Letter, which requests the House Appropriations Committee to provide $61.5 million for this essential program in fiscal year (FY) 2009.
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