Urgent action on a bill that includes a provision postponing the scheduled payment rate cuts to Medicare Part B providers, known as the SGR formula, has been delayed due to opposition to the high cost of the item. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which administers the program, announced today that it will delay payment of claims to all Medicare Part B providers, including clinical social workers,... 

When NASW works on issues involving women and girls, you may be tempted to think of it in a domestic context; equal pay for equal work and reproductive choice are two common examples.  However, we must bear in mind the international aspects of our work in this area as well. The White House recently rolled out their National Security Strategy, and it contains important priorities for the rights of women and girls. ... 

Twin measures passed the full House and the Senate Armed Services Committee on repealing the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy this week.  While this does not mean the policy has been eliminated, these two votes represented the biggest hurdles that stood in the way of repeal.   Please note that a compromise was struck in order to secure sufficient votes: the President, the defense secretary and the... 

NASW, in partnership with the National Alliance of Pupil Serving Organizations (NAPSO) coalition, held a briefing for Senate staff to educate them about the role of specialized instructional support personnel in promoting  student success as Congress gears up to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as the No Child Left Behind Act.   A dance therapist, physical therapist, school... 

NASW has launched a new webpage on school social work advocacy that includes the Association’s education policy statements, timely advocacy alerts and updates, and our public comments and testimony. There, you can read about how Congress has, for many years, designated the first week of social work month as School Social Work Week.  Read More →

NASW is partnering with the College for Access and Success and the U.S. PIRG to urge Congress to ensure that the Restoring American Financial Stability Act (S. 3217) gives the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) full authority over all private student loans. The bill has been criticized for not providing CFPB enough teeth to enforce authority over existing private student lenders, some who have lent to for-profit... 

Political Climate With the health care debate now behind us, Capitol Hill and the Obama Administration have moved on to other things.  Issues of great significance include a pending Supreme Court nomination, fluctuating news on employment, and several Congressional primary races that will give shape to the November general election.  At this point in the year, many Members of Congress are focused on both a wide...