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... 

The Honorable Edolphus Towns Date: 11/6/2009 Dear Colleague: I wanted to call your attention to an article on cnn.com highlighting the top 15 “stressful jobs that pay badly.” The number 1 job listed — social work. This article highlights one  of the key problems in recruiting and retaining qualified individuals who will “step in when others step aside.” My bill, HR 795, the Dorothy I. Height... 

NASW Calls for Increased Mental Health Funding The National Association of Social Workers has joined with the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), a coalition of national organizations representing the diverse mental health advocacy community, in calling for higher federal funding levels for mental health services, supports and research.  The coalition argues that higher federal funding levels are essential to meet the... 

Congress is working to pass major health care reform legislation, and the full House will consider a bill over the next several days that will meet many of the needs of the American populace. “The Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009,” (H.R. 3692) provides more affordable quality coverage for millions, calls for shared responsibility by individuals, employers and government, and expands health insurance... 

Congress Extends the Ryan White Act Last week, Congress passed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. The bill will extend for four years the Ryan White Program, which provides lifesaving and life-extending health care, medications and support services to over 530,000 low-income people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. On October 21, the bill passed the House floor on a vote of 408 to... 

The National Association of Social Workers has steadfastly been involved with hate crimes legislation for over a decade. On October 22, 2009 NASW’S tireless efforts came to fruition with the passage, by the Senate, of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act by a 68-29 vote. The hate crimes initiative was included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Defense Authorization Report passed... 

Video: Can We Live up to the Social Work Legacy? Please take a moment to view a video NASW just recorded for you regarding the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act (H.R. 795/ S.686. This legislation is a first step to address serious workforce challenges such as low salaries, high educational debt, and safety concerns and will determine the best course of action to strengthen... 

In an effort to keep you informed of the work NASW is doing on health care reform, we will periodically send out a roundup of activities. For ongoing information, please visit our health care reform page. Congress Advances Health Care Reform Congress made major progress last week on health reform legislation. House leaders continued to negotiate merging three somewhat different committee versions of their bill into... 

During the August Congressional recess, your member of Congress may be hosting a Town Hall Meeting. We would like you to go to the Town Hall Meeting and talk to your member about Health Care Reform. While many Members of Congress notify constituents of Town Hall Meetings, you can join NASW’s Advocacy Listserv to receive notices regarding planned meetings by your members of Congress. Join the NASW Advocacy Listserv... 

It was the one regret Frances Perkins had. The one thing on her list she could not accomplish — health care reform. Some say President Teddy Roosevelt first tried to reform the system. We know Frances Perkins tried. President Johnson signed Medicare into law just over 40 years ago. Many of us remember what happened with the Clinton attempt. Now we are in danger of losing the next opportunity. Congress has...