ICA Conference is Being Planned for April, 2010

The dates of the ICA conference have been changed from January 2010 to April 2010.  We will know very soon the exact date of the conference and make them available to you. The Conference will be a one day event and will explore how military families deal with the many stresses that beset them, especially during times of war and combat situations. Some themes to be explored will be family health (including PTSD), domestic violence, bereavement  and loss in military families.  Many of us work with members of the military and this topic is a timely reminder of how members of the military sacrifice for the freedoms we experience.  More information to follow.

House To Vote on Health Care Bill Including Medicare Coverage of Counselors

This morning House leaders introduced the version of health care legislation to be voted on soon by the chamber—H.R. 3962, the “Affordable Health Care for America Act”—and ACA is pleased to report that like earlier versions of the bill, the legislation includes Medicare coverage of licensed professional counselors.  ACA applauds the House for developing this important legislation, and is working to gain its enactment.

Medicare is the nation’s single largest health insurance program, covering more than 41 million Americans, a number that will grow steadily as the baby boomer generation ages.  Medicare coverage of counselors is important for the health and well-being of beneficiaries; many beneficiaries live in areas without adequate access to mental health specialists, and older Americans remain at higher-than-average risk for committing suicide. 

Counselors are encouraged to ask their REPRESENTATIVE to VOTE FOR the health insurance reform legislation, H.R. 3962, and its provision establishing Medicare coverage of counselors.

Counselors are also encouraged to ask their SENATORS to COSPONSOR S.671, legislation establishing Medicare coverage of licensed professional counselors. Unfortunately, the health care legislation approved by the Senate Finance Committee does NOT include Medicare coverage of counselors, and this oversight should be rectified in the health care legislation brought to the Senate floor.  The Senate approved Medicare coverage of counselors in both 2003 and 2005.  It should do so again now, to bring Medicare policy up-to-date with that of private sector health plans, which have covered counselors for many years.

All Congressional offices can be reached by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.