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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> Scott MacConomy [mailto:advocacy@counseling.org]
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, January 31, 2019 5:35 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Bhat, Christine <bhatc@ohio.edu><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Please Support Legislation That Would Provide Medicare Reimbursement to Counselors<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt:.75pt"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;color:white">The American Counseling Association needs your help in encouraging Members of Congress to cosponsor the Mental Health Access Act Improvement. This measure would
include licensed professional counselor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black">The American Counseling Association needs your help in encouraging Members of Congress to cosponsor the Mental Health Access Act Improvement. This measure would
include licensed professional counselors (LPCs) as covered Medicare providers. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Senate bill on January 31st. Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Congressman John Katko (R-NY) introduced
the House bill the same day.<br>
<br>
<strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Why this bill is important.
</span></strong><br>
Medicare does not include licensed professional counselors in its coverage. Medicare beneficiaries are often at higher risk for mental health problems, such as depression and opioid addiction, yet older Americans are the least likely to receive mental health
services. Only 1 in 5 older Americans receive needed mental health care, according to NAMI.<br>
<br>
Medicaid recipients can see an LPC and Medicaid will cover them-until they reach 65. Many individuals with private health insurance have mental health coverage but, once they retire, find that they can no longer afford to see an LPC. The passage of this legislation
will enable Medicare to help the 4 out 5 seniors currently not receiving much-needed mental health care.<br>
<br>
<strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">You can help ACA pass this bill this year!</span></strong><br>
Ask your senators and your House member to cosponsor the Mental Health Access Improvement Act.<br>
<br>
Click on the link below to send an email to them. You can add your own thoughts to the message.<br>
<br>
You can also call the U.S. Capitol at 202-224-3121 and ask to speak to someone in your representatives' offices. A phone call is sure to get the attention of someone in a Congressional office and you can also let them know about your role as a licensed professional
counselor.<br>
<br>
Click the link below to log in and send your message:<br>
<a href="https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/z45l7kK_LECd6SSfjtfOQA">https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/z45l7kK_LECd6SSfjtfOQA
</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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