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E-News from Washington December 4, 2001 Vol. 01-29
Bipartisan Legislation Introduced in U.S. Senate to Establish Coverage of Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists

Mental health counselors across the country have much to celebrate today following the introduction of the "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2001". The legislation, sponsored by Sens. Craig Thomas (R-WY) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), would allow mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to independently bill Medicare for services provided to beneficiaries. The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA), along with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) provided input on the bill's legislative language.

The Thomas-Lincoln bill opens up an important new front on the Medicare reimbursement issue.  AMHCA and ACA continue to work alongside other mental
health provider and advocacy associations in support of the "Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act of 2001" (S. 690 / H.R. 1522), introduced by Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN) and Representative Pete Stark (D-CA) .  This legislation includes a range of mental health benefit changes for Medicare.

The "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2001", given its tight focus on provider coverage, is expected to be significantly less expensive than S. 690/H.R. 1522, and may therefore be more palatable to members of Congress.

Counselors are strongly encouraged to call their Senators to ask them to cosponsor the "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act".  The more cosponsors on this legislation, the better our chances of getting it attached to Medicare legislation moving through Congress.  All Senate offices can be reached by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.  Once a bill number has been assigned to the "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2001", AMHCA and ACA will send a message to this listserve, including sample letter text.

For more information please contact Beth Powell at the following e-mail and address below:

Beth Powell
Director, Public Policy and Professional Issues
American Mental Health Counselors Association
801 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 304
Alexandria, VA  22314
703-548-6002, ext. 105
800-326-2642, ext. 105