Legislative Update — Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT

CAMFT Facebook Page Legislative Updates
June, July, and August 2024

8/7/24

In May, Rep. Julia Brownley introduced HR 8165, a game-changing bill that would eliminate barriers for California MFTs working within the VA system by streamlining accreditation.

We need your voice to make this crucial legislation a reality. Will you help urge your elected officials to co-sponsor HR 8165? We made the process quick and easy—just sign this pre-filled action form to push the bill forward in Congress!

https://www.votervoice.net/CAMFT/Campaigns/115412/Respond

#congress #california #electedofficial #passthisbill #veteransaffairs #advocacy

7/16/24

We at CAMFT are proud to have been early supporters of Assembly Bill 665, which Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law last October. It goes into effect this month.

For the past decade, only teens with commercial insurance could independently access mental health services. This new law expands access to those on Medi-Cal, ensuring more young people can get the help they need.

CAMFT's Executive Director Joy Alafia spoke to ABC 30 Action News and said, "Being able to eliminate the disparities in mental health care access by economic class, enabling young people 12 and older, regardless of income to receive the support that they need is crucial at a time when we know many of our young people are facing mental health challenges."

Read the full article here.

https://abc30.com/.../ca-teens-covered-medi-cal.../15049199/

#governorgavinnewsom #healthcareaccess #mentalhealthcare #mentalhealthchallenge #abc #abc30 #executivedirector

6/27/24

Last month, Rep. Julia Brownly introduced HR 8165 to bring more Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) into the Department of Veterans Affairs. Learn more from the official press release here: https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-introduces.../

This is a great first step, but we need your help to keep the momentum going! Please urge your elected officials to co-sponsor this vital bill for MFTs and our veterans.

Why support this bill? The VA Marriage and Family Therapist Equity Act will remove barriers, allowing qualified LMFTs to provide essential therapy to our veterans.

Click here to ask your elected official to support this bill and help it move through Congress.

https://www.votervoice.net/CAMFT/Campaigns/115412/Respond

#congress #electedofficial #reachout #electedofficials #veteransaffairs #pressrelease #barriers

Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT maintains a full-time private practice in Woodland Hills, CA. He works with children, teens, adults and families, with an emphasis on supporting the special needs community. He can be contacted at 818.674.9834 or ArielCohenLMFT@gmail.com.