Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT

CAMFT Facebook Page Legislative Updates
December 2018, January and February 2019

2/5/19
Word is spreading fast...#MedicareNeedsMFTs!
“Mental health is finally receiving the spotlight it deserves,” said CAMFT Deputy Executive Director Cathy Atkins in an interview with Inside Health Policy about the Mental Health Access Improvement Act. #MFTs are qualified to diagnosis and treat serious mental illness. This legislation would allow senior citizens access to mental health services provided by MFTs through Medicare.

Now is the time to join your colleagues to make a difference! With a few simple clicks, you can contact your Representative to help co-sponsor this bill! Use this link to send a prepared email message now:https://bit.ly/2Tw2ln1

2/4/19
ACTION REQUIRED: MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT OF LMFTS!
Just last week, the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 (S 286 and HR 945) was introduced in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives that adds LMFTs as Medicare providers.

We need every member to rally with us for our message to be heard in Washington DC—#MedicareNeedsMFTs! Use this link to send a prepared email message to your Representatives now: https://bit.ly/2Tw2ln1

**SPREAD THE WORD! Please share with colleagues, friends, and family!**

1/31/19
Medicare Bills Introduced in the Senate and the House!

U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S.1830). This bill would allow seniors access to MFTs and LPCCs through Medicare.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Congressman John Katko(NY-24) have reintroduced the bipartisan and bicameral Mental Health Access Improvement Act (H.R. 495)—a companion bill to S.1830.

Both bills will help provide congressional momentum to add MFTs as Medicare providers. CAMFT’s Grassroots Advocacy Team will be lobbying to gain support for these bill on the Hill! #MedicareNeedsMFTs

1/28/19
Poll Shows Californians’ Health Priorities for New Governor and Legislature: Access to mental health care is a top concern statewide

Findings from the Kaiser Family Foundation and California Health Care Foundation reports half of all Californians (52%) say their community does not have enough mental health providers to meet its needs.

Read report: https://www.chcf.org/publication/poll-shows-californians-health-priorities-new-governor-legislature/?fbclid=IwAR2vfbuQjT42anB514uyYXMAupDPj8Cwr6mJmlgnxmpyGA7CbhFTHnYRElg

1/10/19
Governor Newsom presented his proposed budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2019-2020. Below, are some highlights from the proposed budget related to Mental Health:

• To help address the increasing need for public mental health practitioners, the Budget includes $50 million General Fund to increase training opportunities for workforce programs.
• Invest $25 million General Fund to better detect and intervene when young people have had, or are at high risk of experiencing, psychosis.
• Invest $100 million General Fund for Whole Person Care Pilot Programs. These programs focus on coordinating health, behavioral health (mental health and substance use disorders), and social services, and this funding is expected to help provide additional supportive housing for people with mental illness.

View budget: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/FullBudgetSummary.pdf

1/8/19
CAMFT will continue to advocate for MFTs and for mental health to be included in preventative and routine healthcare.

https://www.cnn.com/…/er-mental-health-patients-…/index.html

12/28/18
A number of new laws take effect January 1, 2019, which affect supervisors and individuals gaining experience hours, including the following:

• Certain qualifications to serve as a supervisor have changed
• Supervisors may now be audited by the Board
• Conditions related to the written agreement, which is required between the supervisor and employer in certain situations, has changed
• Requirements for supervision after all experience hours have been gained are changing
• Triadic supervision (one supervisor, two supervisees) is now allowed in place of individual supervision
• Alternative supervision will be allowed for those gaining experience toward LCSW or LPCC licensure (already allowed for LMFT)
• LCSW applicants must now have 3,000 hours rather than 3,200 hours

More information: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/legupdate_18.pdf

Ariel maintains a full-time practice at Teen Therapy Center in Woodland Hills, CA. He works with children, teens, and families, with an emphasis on supporting the special needs community. He can be contacted at 818.674.9834 or ariel@teentherapycenter.com.