Legislative news – 10/27/2013
As we approach the start of the 2014 Legislative Session, IMHCA is once again encouraging mental health counselors throughout the state to voice their support of Medicare legislation covering the services of mental health counselors (MHCs) and marriage and family therapists (MFTs) under part B of the Medicare program, reintroduced on March 14, 2013 by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and John Barrasso (R-WY). It has been communicated to IMHCA that Senator Grassley’s office wants to hear from Iowa constituents about the need for him to co-sponsor the Medicare provider status bill (now S.562). We are therefore urging counselors to contact Senator Grassley and ask him to co-sponsor S.562. A sample e-mail, along with background and justification for S.562, can be found on the AMHCA website and accessed through the following link: http://www.amhca.org/news/detail.aspx?ArticleId=627. E-mail correspondence can be sent through the Senator’s website: http://www.grassley.senate.gov/constituents/Copy-of-contact.cfm.
The time to promote Medicare recognition of MHCs and MFTs is now! We would like to thank you in advance for your willingness to advocate for the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act. Please direct inquiries to Kacey Peterson, Government Relations Committee Chair, at 515-250-3840. E-mails can be sent to [email protected].
Submitted by:
Kacey Peterson, LMHC