ACA News

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.

California Enacts Historic Parity Law (SB 855)

SB 855 was enacted, which updated California health code in accordance with best practices and nationally recognized standards of care for mental health treatment across the full spectrum of care, including early interventions.

MedPAC Meeting

On November 9, 2020, MedPAC held a public meeting on the expansion of telehealth in Medicare.

ACA Seeks to Improve Mental Health for Medicare Beneficiaries in a Sign-On Letter to U.S. House

ACA is advocating to have the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 included in a House floor vote or end of the year package.

State Affairs: Interstate Compact Updates

The Interstate Compact for Licensure (?Counseling Compact?) is nearing completion. The process has been largely successful, and we are looking to 2021 for introduction to state legislatures.

Bipartisan, Bicameral COVID-19 Relief Package in the Works

The package, intended to provide emergency relief from December 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021, includes $908 billion in relief funding, $560 billion of which are funds already appropriated via the CARES Act.

NOW ACCEPTING: ACA National Awards Nominations

The nomination process for the ACA National Awards has officially begun. The Awards winners will be recognized at the upcoming ACA Virtual Conference Experience.

Apply Now: American Counseling Association Foundation Seeks Proposals for Spring 2021 Grants

The American Counseling Association Foundation is seeking proposals from American Counseling Association members for grants of up to $500.

Register Today for an Upcoming Post-Election Webinar with ACA Partner, Arnold & Porter

Attendees will receive a broad overview of post-election results and its impact.

Register Today for an Upcoming Post-Election Webinar with ACA Partner, Arnold & Porter

On November 10, 2020, Arnold & Porter?the lobbying partner of the American Counseling Association (ACA)?will be hosting a webinar to provide a broader overview of post-election results and its impact.

ACA Encourages Voting: Offices Closed on Election Day

ACA offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 in order to allow all ACA staff ample opportunity to exercise their right to vote without distraction or concerns of the workplace.

Newly Signed Bill Creates Pathway for More Counselors in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs

On October 23rd, ACA shared the news that Senate Bill 785 (S.785), The Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, was signed into law. This law will provide veterans improved assistance as they transition from the ...

President Trump Signs S.785 Into Law

S.785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, amends a number of V.A. authorities related to helping veterans transition from military to civilian life; suicide prevention; mental health care research and ...

President Trump Issues Executive Order on Behavioral Health

The President signed an executive order that could increase access to mental health services for those suffering from behavioral health issues exacerbated by the global health pandemic.

House Passes Bill to Increase Access to Mental Health Services for our Nation?s Veterans

Congress passed the Commander John Scott Hannon Veteran Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, and now the bill is on the President?s desk for him to sign into law.

ACA Responds to Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping

The September 22, 2020 executive order seeks to combat "division and inefficiency" in federal contracting by prohibiting contractors from providing employee training on "divisive concepts." ACA is very concerned that the Executive Order would place an ...