Take Action!

In a beginning victory for the Social Work Reinvestment Initiative, the U.S. Senate passed Medicare legislation, H.R. 6331, which will restore funding for clinical social work payments cut in 2007. The vote was 69-30 thanks to the return of Senator Ted Kennedy (MA), whose vote swayed a number of members to create a veto-proof margin. Thank you to everyone who sent letters to your Senators to help ensure passage of this important piece of legislation.

This year’s Medicare package was designed primarily to halt the scheduled 10.6% cut in all Part B provider payment rates. The legislation would postpone the cut for 18 months, beginning July 1, 2008 and increase payments for all providers by 1.1% for 2009, including clinical social workers participating in Part B. In addition to the 1.1% increase in 2009, clinical social workers would receive an increase of 5% (effective July 1, 2008) above those of other providers. In addition, the bill contains a Medicare coinsurance parity provision, reducing beneficiaries’ copayments by 5% per year from 50% in 2009 to 20% in 2014 - at full parity with medical and surgical benefits. This is a crucial legislative goal long sought by NASW.

Reports are that President Bush will veto the bill and urge Senators to not override his veto.  Contact President Bush today to urge him to sign this legislation.

Message: I am writing as a constituent, professional social worker, and member of the National Association of Social Workers. I urge you to sign the Medicare Bill (HR. 6331). This bill includes vital improvements to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have access to high-quality mental health care. The bill is especially important for the Medicare beneficiaries I serve, as it restores funding for clinical social work payments cut in 2007. This cut has placed the Medicare mental health benefit at risk and addressing it must be a top priority in any Medicare legislation this year. I also am pleased the bill finally treats mental health coverage equally with other medical benefits, providing Medicare coinsurance parity and halting the scheduled 10.6% cut for all outpatient provider payments. Please vote to pass H.R. 6331. It will make a real difference for the beneficiaries I serve. 

For more information on this issue, go to:  http://capwiz.com/socialworkers/issues/alert/?alertid=11549951

NASW supports increasing the number of women running for public office. Through the She Should Run project, the Women’s Campaign Forum (WCF) is using the power of the web to encourage more women to consider elective office. Just months after launching they received the names of more than 1,000 qualified pro-choice leaders.

She Should Run, now in its second year, is a comprehensive effort to gather names of women leaders who should run for public office. WCF is committed to offering these women the essential encouragement they deserve. Their Website provides information and tools about women running for office, including links to organizations that provide financial support and training (http://www.sheshouldrun.org/index.php?/pages/guide/).

Do you know a woman who gets things done? Research shows women are more likely to run for office if someone asks them.  Tell a woman she should run for office, share her story, and start her on a path to becoming the influential public office holder she was always meant to be.

Last year’s She Should Run nominees come from over 40 states and represent women across the professional spectrum - from women just getting started to those with over 20 years of experience. Over 80% have never run for office before, but more than two-thirds say they are more likely to run because of this campaign. A few of the nominees are already running for office this year.

We know there are thousands more women all across the country who are qualified and ready to lead, yet they aren’t seriously considering public life. We know some of these likely candidates are also social workers. The Women’s Campaign Forum set a new goal of finding 1,500 additional pro-choice women who should run for office and they need your help.

If you know a woman who should run for office, nominate her today.

If you are interested in running for office, they are interested in you. Click here to nominate yourself.