Tag Archives: bill

By Paul R. Pace, News staff Most Medicare beneficiaries go without an emotional support system when there is a change in their health status. A provision in the Improving Access to Mental Health Act (S.2173; H.R.3712) aims to fix that problem by allowing clinical social workers across the nation to bill Medicare Part B for health and behavior assessment and ... Read More »

By Paul R. Pace, News staff Social workers and others in direct care settings in Massachusetts will be better protected from violence, thanks to the efforts led by the NASW Massachusetts Chapter and the Boston University School of Social Work. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law the NASW Massachusetts Social Work Safety in the Workplace bill in February. It ... Read More »

By Paul R. Pace, News staff The NASW California Chapter took a leadership role in helping pass a state law that bans sexual orientation change efforts for minors. California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law S.B. 1172 on Sept. 29, making California the first state in the union to prohibit licensed mental health professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change ... Read More »

Take Action Today! Action Requested Contact your Representative today about signing on as a cosponsor to H.R. 5040, the “HIT Extension for Behavioral Health Services Act.” Background Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) has introduced bi-partisan legislation along with Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), a clinical psychologist, called the Health Information Technology Extension for Behavioral Health Services Act of 2010 (H.R. 5040). The ... Read More »

On March 30, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (H.R. 4872). NASW strongly supported this bill and has tirelessly advocated for the creation of public policies that make health care and higher education more affordable and accessible for all Americans. The higher education provisions are expected to generate significant savings by redirecting ... Read More »

On March 17, the House of Representatives passed the Professional Social Work Month and World Social Work Day Resolution honoring social workers by a vote of 419-0.  Social worker and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter managed the bill during the debate.  To view the debate and final passage, please go to: Video of Reps. Shea-Porter and Guthrie managing the social work month ... Read More »

Senate Continues Consideration of Health Care Reform The Senate is currently debating health care reform legislation. Numerous amendments are pending and each will require 60 votes for passage, a high threshold for inclusion. NASW has mobilized its members on reproductive rights, coverage for routine patient care costs associated with clinical trials participation, and we anticipate further mobilization on other issues ... Read More »

Several Amendments Dominate Debate in Senate on Health Care Reform There are 91 amendments to the Senate Health Care Reform bill. A list of all the Senate amendments to the Health Care Reform bill can be found here. The list is compiled by OpenLeft.com, a news, analysis and action website dedicated toward building a progressive governing majority in America. State-by ... Read More »

Clinical social workers that participate in Medicare Part B will have their payment rates protected against a large cut provided the Senate acts favorably on the “Medicare Physician Fairness Act of 2009” (S. 1776). This legislation would permanently repeal the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula that determines future payment rates in Medicare and TRICARE. The SGR formula is frequently inappropriately ... Read More »

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. 5 Things to Do For Health Care Reform Attend a Town Hall Meeting in your area and discuss what you would like to see in health care reform. Contact your members of Congress about ... Read More »