ACA News

ACA Webinar Explains Congressional Budget Process and School Counseling Funds

ACA webinar explains the budget process from White House budget to Congressional budget to annual spending bills, with a focus on money for school counseliong grants.

Conversion Therapy Ban Signed Into Law in Rhode Island

Governor Raimondo signed a bill banning conversion therapy on minors in Rhode Island.

ACA Members Advocate For Counseling In Washington

Over one hundred ACA members descended on Capitol Hill this week for meetings with their Members of Congress to advocate for issues important to counseling and counselors.

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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.

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 ...

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.

House Passes Healthcare Bill. Senate to Find Some Remedies.

The House passed a healthcare reform bill that substitutes tax credits for insurance subsidies, removes the requirement for mental health coverage, and removes millions from the Medicaid rolls. The Senate will now write its own bill that will not be ...

President Signs Spending Bill; Government Stays Open, Mental Health and Education Programs Funded

This afternoon the President signed the bill that funds the government through September 30. Money for mental health programs, money for fighting opioid abuse, and money for schools becomes available.

Controversial Nominee Picked to Oversee SAMHSA

A former chief medical director at SAMHSA has been chosen to oversee the agency. She criticized its approach to severe mental illness after she left, and the Congressman who helped create the post overseeing the agency has criticized the nomination.

Supreme Court Turns Away Challenge to Conversion Therapy Ban

The Supreme Court upholds California's conversion therapy ban, which was challenged on religious freedom grounds and previously on free speech grounds. This protects bans in other states as well. Congress is considering a nationwide ban on conversion ...

Bills Introduced in Congress Would Ban Conversion Therapy. Add your support

Bills in the House and Senate would ban conversion therapy as a fraudulent practice because sexual identity is not a treatable medical condition, or a medical condition at all. You can add your support.