Dear Colleagues:
Please contact your congressmen and senator to support that licensed marriage, family and mental health counselors be covered under medicare .
Please see below the press release by AMCHA this morning:
Congressional Background Information Legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate to establish Medicare coverage of licensed professional counselors. On March 23rd, Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced S. 671, the "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2009." The next day, Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN) introduced H.R. 1693, identical legislation with the same title. The legislation would also establish coverage of licensed marriage and family therapists. AMHCA and ACA worked closely with Senators Lincoln and Barrasso, and with Congressman Gordon, on the development and preparation of the legislation.
We Need Cosponsors! Mental health counselors are strongly encouraged to call, write, or e-mail their Senators to ask them to cosponsor S. 671, and their Representative to ask for cosponsorship of H.R. 1693. The more cosponsors we have for S. 671 and H.R. 1693, the more likely we are to gain their inclusion in the larger Medicare legislation to be approved by Congress.
Follow this effective method to reach your senators and representatives:
Call 202-224-3121 (the main Capitol switchboard).
Ask to be connected to the office of a specific senator or representative.
Once connected, ask to speak with the health legislative assistant.
Ask his or her boss to co-sponsor the bills referenced in this message.
We Are at a Critical Crossroads!Yes, Congress has actively considered legislation providing Medicare reimbursement to LPCs for several years now. But THIS year, in THIS session, Congress will be considering legislation to reform America’s health care system. Plus, Congress will pass Medicare legislation this year, in order to prevent a scheduled 20% pay cut for physicians under the program from taking effect on January 1, 2010. We need mental health counselor coverage to be part of this Medicare package—and this represents a prime opportunity to achieve our long sought goals.
Please take a moment to call or e-mail your Representative and Senators and ask them to cosponsor the "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2009" (H.R. 1693 / S. 671).This legislation will improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to outpatient mental health care in a cost-effective manner, by establishing coverage of highly-qualified LPCs.
For more information, contact Al Guida, AMHCA's lobbyist, at 202-331-1120, or e-mail him with any questions. Act now!
Submitted by,
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
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