Social Work Blog Social work updates from NASW
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 »
Tag Archives: medicaid
April 15 HHS/White House Webchat to Answers Your Health Reform Questions
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is hosting another program in their webchat series on health insurance reform. Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director of the White House Office of Health Reform will join Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for a discussion on how the new Affordable Care Act will impact you. Questions addressed will include information about Medicare Part D and the ... Read More »
Update on Medicare “Physician Fee” Payments
March proved yet another tumultuous month for congressional consideration of legislation establishing Medicare payment rates. Physicians, clinical social workers and other health professionals that bill Medicare Part B independently face a scheduled rate cut of 21 percent on April 1. Fortunately, this week the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) delayed the scheduled formula payment cuts until after Congress ... Read More »
Senate Restores Medicare Psychotherapy Rates until December
Last week Congress halted the so-called Medicare “physician fee cut” that set Part B payment rates for clinical social workers and all independent Medicare outpatient providers with passage of an extension of Medicare physician payments at last year’s level through March 31. On Wednesday, March 10, the Senate passed a critical extension of these provisions (H.R. 4213). Eight Republicans voted ... Read More »
Medicare Rate Update
2009 Rates extended until March 31 Medicare Rate Remedy Makes Limited Progress Senate gridlock was halted just long enough this week to pass a brief extension of a highly troublesome Medicare provision that sets Part B payment rates for clinical social workers and all independent Medicare outpatient providers. The so-called Medicare “physician fee cut” for all Part B providers was ... Read More »
Jobs, the Economy and Our Legacy
Within four weeks of taking office, Congress presented a “stimulus package” to President Obama, who signed it. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is now one year old. About half of the money has been distributed, mostly to states, as well as to extend unemployment benefits, expand eligibility for Food Stamps, support Medicaid for states. Independent economic analyses of ... Read More »
U.S. Government to pay more than half of U.S. health costs by 2012
A new report by federal actuaries shows government programs will pay for more than half of all U.S. health care spending by 2012. The health care spending projection data can be found on the CMS web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/03_NationalHealthAccountsProjected.asp Read More »
NASW Advocacy: News from the Hill – December 2009
Employment Non-Discrimination Act NASW continues to work diligently on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R.3017/S.1584). With 194 sponsors in the House of Representatives and 44 in the Senate, E.N.D.A. has begun to attract enormous attention. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act is dedicated to the principle that every worker should be judged solely on his or her merits. Further, hardworking Americans should not ... Read More »
NASW Health Care Reform Roundup – December 16, 2009
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 »
NASW Health Care Roundup – Nov 10, 2009
House Passes Health Care Reform Legislation In an historic vote, the House passed major health care reform legislation on November 7, with a vote of 220-215. NASW strongly supports the health care reform bill (H.R. 3962), which included a Medicare provision allowing clinical social workers to bill independently for serving certain nursing home residents. A copy of NASW’s endorsement letter ... Read More »