ACA Legislative Update

We did it! With your help, we’re one big step closer to Medicare reimbursement for professional counselors!

Due in part to your advocacy and support of The Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 (H.R. 945), the bill today has a total of 100 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. Reaching 100 bipartisan cosponsors is a big step toward this bill moving forward to a vote. Thank you for supporting the American Counseling Association’s efforts to get licensed professional counselors reimbursed through Medicare!

The Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019, which would improve access to mental health services and permit licensed professional counselors (LPCs) to be reimbursed by Medicare, has been introduced in both the House and the Senate. In the House, Representatives John Katko (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced the measure (H.R. 945). In the Senate, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the bill (S. 286).

The fight isn’t over yet! Due to outdated Medicare rules, licensed professional counselors across the country still cannot serve many clients who are disabled or are age 65 and over—and need the support of Medicare. If your legislator is not a cosponsor of H.R. 945 or S. 286, please continue to contact their offices to let them know that their support is vital to the success of this important legislation.

Welcome

Hello WCA Members,

Welcome to our website! We are continuing to update and add new features to our website.

I am honored to be serving as the President for the Wisconsin Counseling Association. I’ve had the privilege of serving on the board since 2016 when I started as your Technology Chair. I am looking forward to representing the professional counselors of Wisconsin to grow our organization by providing more benefits for our members, including additional continuing education opportunities across the state.

As we look forward, we are planning several events for counselors for 2020. Our Legislative Advocacy Day in the first half of the year and our fall conference are two events to look forward to. Additionally, we are considering adding in a one day conference in the spring for our more northern Wisconsin counselors.

Thank you!

PJ Young, MS, LPC, NCC

WCA President