March proved yet another tumultuous month for congressional consideration of legislation establishing Medicare payment rates. Physicians, clinical social workers and other health professionals that bill Medicare Part B independently face a scheduled rate cut of 21 percent on April 1. Fortunately, this week the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) delayed the scheduled formula payment cuts until after... 

On March 17, 2010, Education Secretary Arne Duncan testified before the House Education and Labor Committee on the Obama Administration’s newly released blueprint for revamping the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as the No Child Left Behind Act. He focused on the themes of college and career readiness, accountability for all students, and incentives for states to improve their approach... 

NASW Members, Submit your comments on proposed NASW Bylaws Amendments by May 7 Proposed amendments to NASW Bylaws articles on 1) amendments to bylaws, 2) membership, and 3) dues and other income are under consideration. NASW invites you to review the proposed changes and submit comments by May 7, 2010. To access the proposed amendments and post your comments, first log in to the NASW Web site... 

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), Representative Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY) submitted acknowledgment of the Academy into the Congressional Record on February 26, 2010. Honoring the work and impact ACSW holders have had in society over the past fifty years, below we have provided a link for you to download the Congressional Record and the congratulatory letter... 

March 2010 Political Climate Other than the year-long health care battle, which appears to be approaching an end game through the reconciliation process, Capitol Hill is focused on two primary issues.  One is the budgetary process.  President Obama has submitted his budgetary requests to Congress, but it is up to the House and Senate to actually create the budget itself.  NASW is lobbying extensively in areas where... 

The House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education held a hearing on March 18, 2010 titled “Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization: Addressing the Needs of Diverse Students” to examine how schools can appropriately educate low-income, minority, English Language Learners, disabled, Native American, and homeless students within the context of reauthorizing ... 

Recently, NASW completed a Health Practice Update entitled, The Childhood Obesity Epidemic: The Social Work Response and has supported First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Initiative. Even though NASW National office will submit comments, NASW members are encouraged to submit their own comments.  Below is the summary of the Federal register notice about the Task Force on Childhood Obesity.  Comments are due by... 

Not long after Barack Obama was elected President, he worked closely with Eric Shinseki, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), on eliminating homelessness among people who are veterans.  The issue became so important that Sec. Shinseki publicly stated that he wanted to completely end veteran homelessness by 2015. The VA is taking some immediate steps to aid homeless veterans.  Recently, a webpage was... 

On March 18, Congress coupled the Student Aid bill with health reform legislation to advance President Obama’s two major domestic policy issues, the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (H.R. 4872). NASW strongly supports this bill and has tirelessly advocated for the creation of public policies that make health care and higher education more affordable and accessible for all Americans. The... 

On March 17, the House of Representatives passed the Professional Social Work Month and World Social Work Day Resolution honoring social workers by a vote of 419-0.  Social worker and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter managed the bill during the debate.  To view the debate and final passage, please go to: Video of Reps. Shea-Porter and Guthrie managing the social work month resolution: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/292544-2...