Health Care Reform Process Begins in the Senate The Senate will begin debating health care reform legislation this week. Numerous amendments are expected to be introduced. Each will require 60 votes to pass, a high threshold for inclusion. There may be alerts in the next couple of weeks about the amendments. We anticipate the final vote on the Senate bill in the third week of December, with a conference committee... 

Dear Colleague, I am writing to ask you, and every single NASW member, to contact your members of Congress and show your full support for the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act (H.R. 795/ S.686) . This is the first piece of federal legislation ever introduced that will directly address the workforce challenges that our profession is facing. These challenges, such as low salaries,... 

Because Congress will be in recess for the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Health Care Roundup on Tuesday, December 1. The next publication will be on Tuesday, December 8. Rally on Reproductive Choice in Health Care Reform The U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment to the health care reform legislation sponsored by Bart Stupak (MI-1) and Joe Pitts (PA-16). This amendment would restrict access to... 

On November 21, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) took effect for all employers with 15 or more employees and it took effect for individual health insurance plans last May. GINA was passed by Congress last year and prohibits the use by employers of genetic or family medical history in making hiring, firing, promotion or job placement decisions. Employers cannot require employees to undergo a genetic... 

Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH Executive Director NASW has been working in support of universal health care for all individuals for a very long time and most recently in support of health care reform legislation. We’ve advocated for a public option and recently supported H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act. However, we are opposed to the Stupak-Pitts Amendment which would restrict access to abortion... 

Background The U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment to the health care reform legislation sponsored by Bart Stupak (MI-1) and Joe Pitts (PA-16). This amendment would restrict access to abortion procedures for consumers who receive subsidies to buy insurance in a reconfigured health care system. Pro-choice organizations are very concerned that the new language threatens the availability of private insurance... 

House Passes Health Care Reform Legislation In an historic vote, the House passed major health care reform legislation on November 7, with a vote of 220-215. NASW supported the health care reform bill (H.R. 3962), which included a Medicare provision allowing clinical social workers to bill independently for serving certain nursing home residents. However, we were greatly disappointed in the passage of the Stupak/Pitts... 

To read the testimony click here. On November 5, 2009, NASW submitted testimony in collaboration with the National Child Abuse Coalition, Washington, D.C., to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities, Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives, regarding the reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). Congress has not yet introduced any legislation in the House... 

Give an Hour is a national nonprofit organization providing free counseling and other mental health services to members of the military, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and their loved ones.  Join the more than 4,500 mental health professionals who have already donated nearly 20,000 hours to make a difference in the lives of those who serve our country by donating an hour a week out of your practice. Visit www.giveanhour.org... 

House Passes Health Care Reform Legislation In an historic vote, the House passed major health care reform legislation on November 7, with a vote of 220-215. NASW strongly supports the health care reform bill (H.R. 3962), which included a Medicare provision allowing clinical social workers to bill independently for serving certain nursing home residents. A copy of NASW’s endorsement letter highlighting provisions...