clinical social work association

There have been ongoing changes by Congress to overturn the Affordable Care Act the past few weeks. As of tonight it is unclear what the final form of the American Health Care Act will be.  It appears that there will be a bill that may pass the House, which will still have resistance.

Here is what LCSWs need to know about mental health and substance use coverage according to the bill in its current form:

• The option to eliminate essential health benefits, including the mental health/substance use parity requirement
• End of Medicaid expansion which will take away coverage for 24 million citizens, including mental health needs
• The option of not covering pre-existing conditions, including for mental health disorders
• Will raise premiums for older (50-64) Americans, making access to mental health care more difficult
• Cuts Medicaid severely, rationing care for poor seniors, poor children, and the disabled, including mental health treatment

These terrible consequences may not be inevitable if 1) the moderate Republicans in the House refuse to support this bill; 2) the Senate refuses to pass this bill; or 3) there is a backlash from constituents to stop support for this bill.

Please send YOUR legislators listed at https://www.trumpcaretoolkit.org/ a message to oppose this bill, especially in California, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.  Message should read: “I am a constituent and member of the Clinical Social Work Association.  Please do not vote for HR 1628 which would restrict access to mental health and substance use treatment for millions of Americans.”

As always, please let me know when you have sent your message.

Laura W. Groshong, LICSW, Director, Policy and Practice

Clinical Social Work Association
The National Voice of Clinical Social Work
Strengthening IDENTITY | Preserving INTEGRITY | Advocating PARITY