Last evening, April 15, 2010, President Obama signed into law the “Continuing Extension Act of 2010.”  The new law extends through May 31, 2010 the zero percent update to the Medicare “Physician” Fee Schedule (MPFS) which was in effect for claims with dates of service from Jan. 1, 2010, through March 31, 2010. The new law is retroactive to April 1, 2010 and will remain in force until the end of May. Without this new stopgap measure, physicians, clinical social workers and other health professionals that bill Medicare Part B independently faced a scheduled rate cut of 21 percent on claims for service delivered after April 1.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has instructed Medicare contractors to immediately resume processing claims under the new law for services provided by physicians, and non-physician practitioners (NPPs) such as clinical social workers, who are paid under the MPFS. Most claims with dates of service April 1 and later were held by Medicare in anticipation of yesterday’s congressional action. If Congress had not acted, payment rates for claims occurring after April 1, by practitioners who are paid under the MPFS would have been reduced by 21 percent, as required by a formula specified in the Medicare law.

The Medicare MPFS cut was originally scheduled to go into effect for claims paid on or after Jan. 1, 2010, but it was first postponed until March 1 by a provision in the Defense Appropriations Act of 2009, and again until April 1, in the Temporary Extenders Act of 2010. This latest Act extends last year’s payment levels until the end of next month, May 31, at which time Congress plans to again have reached agreement on a longer-term formula solution. For background information on this matter, please see NASW’s website here.

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In October, Representative Barbara Lee (CA-9) introduced H.R. 3699, a bill to prohibit any funds being expended to increase the number of members of the United States armed forces serving in Afghanistan. The bill currently has 27 cosponsors and has been referred to the House Committee on Armed Forces. Rep. Lee, a social worker, was the only opponent to George W. Bush’s War Resolution in 2002 by introducing House Concurrent Resolution 473 into the 107th Congress, which urged the United States to re-engage the diplomatic process and stressed the government’s commitment to the United Nations’ inspections process. NASW applauds the efforts of Representative Lee to restore peace.

NASW Executive Director, Elizabeth J Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH

I attended an event at the White House this morning, September 18, 2009, with First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls Tina Tchen. The focus of this meeting was to discuss the impact of health care reform on women and families. Many important women’s organizations were represented as well as health care reform advocates. The First Lady said that she invited the people who have been “fighting for decades for equality for women.”

I was happy to be able to speak with Dr. Dorothy Height, President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women and the civil rights legend and social worker we are proud to name the Social Work Reinvestment Act after. The First Lady began her remarks by thanking Dr. Height for attending the meeting and telling her that she is her inspiration.

Several women discussed their own challenges with the healthcare system including burdensome debt from skyrocketing costs, untreated illnesses, and worries for their children and families. The First Lady discussed how this issue disproportionately affects women, as we are not only responsible for most of the family care giving, but also are more likely to work part-time or in small businesses, making insurance unaffordable and inaccessible for many women. Mrs. Obama stated that “women are being crushed by healthcare costs.”

Mrs. Obama discussed the difficult experiences of “sandwich generation” women. NASW has understood the burden of the sandwich generation for quite some time as many women (and many social workers) are tasked with caring for their children and their elderly relatives. Mrs. Obama discussed the implications of this saying, “it’s not a family issue or an economic issue. It’s a healthcare issue.”

With personal anecdotes and stories about her own family, Mrs. Obama communicated an urgency that healthcare reform cannot wait. If women do not receive proper care and treatment, then their families and children will suffer as a result. This situation is untenable for our nation, and in particular for the social work profession as we seek to contribute to healthy individuals, families, and communities. The First Lady ended her remarks with a call to action saying, “Channel our passion into action. Mobilize like we’ve never mobilized before. Educate our members on not just what’s at stake, but what it all means. Make our voices heard right here in DC.” As supporters of universal care for all, we will do just that.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen G. Sebelius US Signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Today, the United States joins 141other nations who have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The signing of the UN Convention sends an important message that this country is committed to equal rights for people with disabilities, in the United States and around the world.

Another important example of our commitment is the President’s launch of the Year of Community Living in June.   The Department of Health and Human Services has already begun to carry out the Community Living initiative by establishing an HHS Coordinating Council, led by the Office on Disability.

The Administration on Aging, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Office for Civil Rights, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and—most recently—the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Administration for Children and Families, and the Office of Public Health and Science have joined the Coordinating Council.  I am pleased that we have assembled such considerable expertise to ensure that living independently with a disability is a real choice.

HHS is proud to support the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first new UN human rights convention of the 21st century.  We look forward to advancing dignity, autonomy, full inclusion, and equality of opportunity for Americans, and for people with disabilities around the world.

Source: www.dhhs.gov

NASW is actively involved in the United We Serve initiative.  Click here to tell us your story of service to your community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 20, 2009
CONTACT: Sandy Scott
Phone: 202-606-6724
Email: sscott@cns.gov

United We Serve Kicks Off Community Renewal Week

Serve.gov website to highlight volunteers battling hunger, homelessness, and poverty

Washington D.C. — Starting today and lasting through the rest of the summer, President Obama’s United We Serve initiative is kicking off a series of issue weeks that will shine the spotlight on Americans who are joining with their neighbors to tackle tough challenges through volunteer service.

The first issue week, Community Renewal, runs from July 20-26 and will highlight volunteer efforts to build and repair housing, clean up streets and neighborhoods, prevent foreclosures, teach financial literacy, and combat hunger and homelessness.

The issue weeks will highlight service projects taking place across the country and feature stories of ordinary Americans making a difference on the new stories of service blog at Serve.gov. Weeks are planned for each of the five United We Serve focus areas: community renewal, education, energy and the environment, health, and safety and security. An additional week will highlight service by people of faith.

“Every day millions of Americans are strengthening their communities through service,” said Nicola Goren, Acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which is leading the Administration’s United We Serve initiative. “By shining the spotlight on their good works, we hope to inspire more people to answer the President’s call to service.”

Here are some of the activities taking place during Community Renewal week:

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Youth Gathering, New Orleans: Nearly four years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is still rebuilding. More than 25,000 high-school aged Lutherans and 8,600 adult leaders from across the country will converge in New Orleans from July 22-26 for a servant ministry that features community service through more than 150 projects, including repairing homes, beautifying neighborhoods, and creating 13,500 back-to-school backpacks to be distributed to every pre-K-3rd grade student in the public school system. (Click here for more info)
  
• New York Yankees HOPE Week, New York City: On July 20, the New York Yankees will launch HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere & Excel); a community program that will feature five volunteer stories intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities. Each day from July 20-24, Yankees players will go into the community to highlight stories of individuals, families, or organizations making a difference, culminating in a celebration at Yankee Stadium. (Click here for more info)
  
• Volunteers Repair Homes Across Appalachia, KY, TN, VA, WV: During the week of July 20-26, more than 1,800 volunteers from around the country - mostly youth ages 14 – 18, (more…)
  

June 12, 2009

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) applauds President Obama’s historic nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.  We appreciate Judge Sotomayor’s distinguished judicial record, highlighted by her respect for human dignity and the needs of all Americans.

The federal courts often are called the guardians of the constitution because their rulings protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by this most esteemed of documents.  For numerous Americans, the federal judiciary is the primary line of defense against violations of dearly held constitutional principles; for others, it is the final bastion of hope in a system that has marginalized them.

Judge Sotomayor has issued several rulings we support as social workers, and she has boldly dissented on cases in which individual rights were not fully appreciated by the majority.  For example, she has upheld the rights of citizens to sue corporations acting on behalf of the federal government when the corporation in question has violated the citizen’s rights.

In terms of dissenting opinions, Judge Sotomayor courageously supported the rights of adolescent girls whom she believed were needlessly strip searched in juvenile detention centers.  Although her colleagues disagreed, Judge Sotomayor’s dissent reinforced her regard for the safety and well being of all people.

Dr. Elizabeth Clark, NASW’s Executive Director, states that “Judge Sotomayor’s record encompassing 17 years as a federal judge, at both the district and circuit levels, in addition to her prosecutorial and corporate work, reflect a sophisticated grasp of legal doctrine and an astute awareness of the law’s impact upon average Americans.”

Additionally, Judge Sotomayor would bring increased diversity to the Court.  Like all deliberative bodies, the Court functions best when it considers a broad range of perspectives. This leads to rulings that cover the rights and interests of many oppressed, underserved, and underrepresented groups.  Judge Sotomayor’s decisions have proven that she is not just an example of such diversity, but also a champion of it.

“Judge Sotomayor’s life experiences and wealth of knowledge suggest that social work’s core values would be equitably represented in the Supreme Court deliberations,” said Clark.  “America deserves a justice of this enormous stature.”

Judge Sotomayor’s overall record demonstrates the judicial sensitivity NASW has always endorsed and valued.  The Association is actively supporting Sotomayor’s confirmation.

Social Work and The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
On February 13, 2009 Congress passed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was signed into law by President Obama on February 17.  Many provisions of the law may be of interest to Social Workers in a variety of fields.  Furthermore, as part of the Act, all departments and agencies committed to contracting with minority owned businesses.  Grantees also have new data collection, prevailing wage, and similar requirements. Recovery.gov is a site set up to explain provisions of the act, as well as track the spending.

Ask President Obama to Appoint a Supreme Court Justice that Reflects our Diverse Nation
Justice David Souter is retiring from the United States Supreme Court after two decades of service. NASW commends Justice Souter’s service and wishes him well in his retirement. As President Obama selects a new candidate to replace Justice Souter on the Supreme Court, he must take into account a variety of different factors.

Tell Congress to Fund the Loan Forgiveness Provisions in the Higher Education Act!
On August 14, 2008, President Bush signed P.L. 110-315 into law, which fully reauthorized the Higher Education Act (HEA) for the first time since 1998 and included loan forgiveness for national need occupations. The loan forgiveness provisions directly benefit social workers by allowing a person with a degree in social work, who is employed by a public or private child welfare agency, to have part of his or her college loans forgiven. For each year of work,  up to $2,000 would be forgiven, up to a maximum of $10,000 over five years.  While the law authorized the loan forgiveness program, Congress needs to appropriate funding in order for the program to operate.  We are asking Congress to act quickly to fund this important program.

Action Alert!

Contact Senators and Representatives Now to PROTECT HEALTH PRIVACY

February 9, 2009

Background: The Senate will soon finish debate on its version of the economic stimulus bill (H.R.1), which includes critical health privacy protections within its section on health information technology.  The Senate’s final vote may occur tomorrow, thus rapidly sending the bill to conference with the House to reconcile their differences. The House and Senate versions of H.R. 1 have significant differences on health privacy protections for consumers, and NASW is focused on strengthening these privacy protections in the conference. For more background on NASW activities on H.R. 1 click this link.

Action Required:

Social workers should contact their Senators and Representatives immediately and continue contacting them until the economic stimulus bill (H.R. 1) has passed both Houses of Congress and is sent to the President for signature. Social workers should tell their Senators and Representatives to:

(a) Inclusion of strong protections for the psychotherapist-patient privilege in the Senate and House bill. Social workers strongly support section 4405(g) of the House version of HR. 1, and we urge Senators to add it to their bill on the floor and to retain them in any subsequent conference report.
(b) Rejection of any provisions that weaken the health privacy protections in the H.R. 1 bill sections on health information technology, and seek the strongest possible protections in the final version of this bill.

Click here to Take Action Now

The burden of student loan debt has been growing more unmanageable for social workers and students over the last several years. A recent survey by the Council on Social Work Education found that the average loan debt of social work students graduating in 2004 with a master’s degree in social work was $26,777. Those with bachelor’s degrees in social work faced repayment of $18,609 in loans and those with doctoral degrees in social work were $32,841 in debt. Repayment is particularly challenging for social workers, whose salaries continue to be among the lowest for professionals in general and for those with master’s level educations in particular. In 2001, 22 percent of social workers earned under $30,000 and 20 percent earned between $30,000 and $39,999. The median salary for social workers with two to four years experience was $35,600.

The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and the Project on Student Debt have developed the Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project that can help loan saddled social workers and other borrowers to find out more information about the recently passed College Cost Reduction and Access Act, among other student loan related issues. This multi-featured website was created for people who already have student loans and want to know more about their options and rights.� The site enables the borrowers to browse a wide range of issues, such as loan basics, default and delinquency, bankruptcy, loan cancellation, repayment, and collections.

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act forgives outstanding education debt for those persons that meet the eligibility requirements.� Those that would benefit are employees that have made 120 monthly payments on their loans while serving full-time in social work in public child or family service agencies, government, nonprofit, military, education, and others areas. The loan forgiveness provisions became effective on October 1, 2007.

Preventing problems by providing up-front information about the intricacies of student loans is critical in preventing default.� Although the site falls short of providing legal advice about individual cases, it does give a comprehensive overview of the issues and complexities that borrowers face in trying to manage their student loan debt.

Government Relations Update

Hate Crime Legislative Update

The Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (S.1105/H.R.1585), introduced by Senator Kennedy (D-MA) in the Senate and Representative Conyers (D-MI) in the House of Representatives, would strengthen existing federal hate crime laws in multiple ways.� Foremost, the measure would eliminate a serious limitation on federal involvement under the existing 1968 law-the requirement that a victim of a bias-motivated crime was attacked because he/she was engaged in a specified federally-protected activity, such as serving on a jury or attending public school.

Secondly, current law, (18 U.S.C. Sec. 245), authorizes federal involvement only in those cases which the victim was targeted because of race, color, religion, or national origin.� The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 would also authorize the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute certain bias-motivated crimes predicated on the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.� Current federal law does not provide sufficient authority for involvement in these cases.

Pending Hate Crimes legislation is designed to eliminate gaps in federal authority to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated crimes.� The bill would provide an essential backdrop to state as well as local law enforcement by permitting federal authorities to provide assistance in these investigations-and by allowing federal prosecutions when necessary to achieve a fair and impartial result.� In those states without hate crime statutes, and in others with limited coverage, local prosecutors are not able to pursue bias crime convictions.� Presently, only thirty-one states and the District of Columbia include sexual orientation-based crimes in their Hate Crime statutes; only twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia include coverage of gender-based crimes; only ten states include coverage of gender-identity based crimes, in addition, only thirty-one states and the District of Columbia include coverage for disability-based crimes.� The data extrapolated from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) manifests that there is strong majority support for the expansion of Hate Crime legislation to include sexual orientation, gender, and gender-identity among the general American population.

On December 6, 2007 the provisions of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act were removed from the Department of Defense Authorization conference report.� There were not enough votes to assure passage on the House floor due to a confluence of staunch opposition from the Republicans to the Hate Crimes provision, opposition from progressive Members to the Iraq War language contained in the conference report, in addition to a reluctance of moderate Democrats to risk a veto that would delay the military pay raise.� NASW believes that violence directed against individuals on the basis of their race, religion, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation is exceedingly prevalent-and poses significant and unwarranted threats to the comprehensive participation of all Americans in a democratic society.� Bias-motivated crimes are designed to intimidate the victim and members of the victim’s community, leaving them feeling alienated, vulnerable, and bereft of statutory protection.� Incidents of this magnitude impair the essence of our society and destabilize communities.� NASW recognizes that bigotry is intolerable and cannot be legislated out of existence; therefore, a compelling and moral response to prejudicial violence is required of us all.� As social workers, we earnestly contend that Congress must do everything possible to empower the federal government to assist in local hate crime prosecutions and, where imperative, extend existing federal authority to permit a wider range of investigations and prosecutions.� NASW asserts that the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act is a constructive and equitable response to a problem that continues to plague America.� For this reason, social workers are profoundly committed to advocating for a humane society that will resolve to fight injustice against all people.