ACA News

ACA Sends H.R. 945 Support Letter to House Energy & Commerce

ACA sent a support letter to the House Energy & Commerce subcommittee on Health that details the need for the inclusion of licensed professional counselors (LPCs) as Medicare providers.

The Trump Administration Rescinded ICE Rule for International Students

The Trump administration has rescinded the ICE regulation that would have required international students to transfer or leave the country if their schools held classes entirely online as a result of the national health emergency.

ACA Urges HHS to Extend Public Health Emergency

ACA requested that HHS extend the COVID-19 public health emergency beyond its current July 25, 2020 expiration date.

Trump Administration Proposes to Expand Telehealth Benefits Permanently for Medicare Beneficiaries Beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

CMS has proposed to permanently extend Medicare coverage of telebehavioral health services, as well as implement other flexibilities so that Medicare beneficiaries can receive convenient, high-quality care from the comfort of their home.

House Passes Important Mental Health Legislation

Though it remains to be seen whether the Senate will consider these measures, the House passed several mental health bills that are endorsed by ACA.

Congressional Report Reveals Americans? Mental Health is Worsening

More than 90 million Americans are reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression due to fears surrounding the coronavirus. ACA has been advocating for greater access to behavioral health services, particularly in rural communities.

President Trump Signs Law Designating 9-8-8 as Universal Number for National Suicide Hotline

President Trump signed a bipartisan bill into law that will make ?9-8-8? the universal telephone number to reach the national suicide prevention hotline, beginning in 2022.

Medicare Coverage for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

The SUPPORT Act was signed into law on October 2018. This landmark legislation includes critical provisions to increase and strengthen our workforce; standardize the delivery of addiction medicine; cover addiction medicine; and expand access to ...

Counselors Named Essential During National Emergencies

Counselors are among professionals on an essential services list to ensure communities continue to function during disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, that affect health and safety as well as economic and national security.

ACA is Hard at Work on the Policy Front for You and for the Clients You Serve

Your ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team is hard at work for you and for your clients.

ACA Endorses COVID-19 Telehealth State Coverage Letter

ACA requested states to lift restrictions on telebehavioral health and ensure payment parity until the conclusion of the national COVID-19 emergency.

Rural LPC?s Provide Telebehavioral Health Services Under Medicare During Pandemic

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law, authorizing Rural and Federally Qualified Health Clinics to provide telebehavioral health services to Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 health emergency.

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.