UPDATE ON HSB 138; Feb. 24, 2017
There has been a flurry of activity related to the proposal to eliminate licensure for social workers, mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists. This move calls into question insurance and Medicaid reimbursement issues that could reduce access to mental health services, puts the professions at risk of having no oversight or restrictions on who can practice and is a shortsighted effort to reduce the size of government. The main reason being used for the somewhat eclectic compilation of boards that would be eliminated is that these boards are not financially self-sustaining. Thus, it wasn’t about the reasons for the licensure but about the cost.At this point, our understanding is that HSB 138 is not going to move as written. The emails and phone calls by those impacted have had an impact. However, the bill is scheduled for a subcommittee meeting on Monday at 2:00 p.m. It is our understanding, again, that the bill will not move forward in its current form. Should you wish to attend and either listen or speak, you are certainly welcome to do that. Our lobbyist, Emily Piper, is in close contact with key legislators about this legislation and will also be communicating our opposition.
NOTE: Please do not contact our lobbyist, Emily Piper about this bill at this point. She has been swamped and is working very hard on our behalf. Please contact you representatives, and send questions or comments about HSB138 to [email protected].
One of our members offered the following list of emails if you would like to email the representatives on the relevant committee: (These were not confirmed by IMHCA, we are just passing them along from a member)