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State Advocacy
On January 4, 2023, the State Legislature will resume with a very new make-up of leadership. Nearly one third (1/3) of the California Legislature has turned over going into 2023/2024.
What does that mean for CAMFT? In addition to identifying, analyzing and advocating on bills that affect our membership; it will be imperative for CAMFT to meet with the new leaders in the legislature and provide an education on the issues that impact mental health and the MFT profession.
Although the new legislative year has not yet begun, we are already seeing advocacy mounting on mental health generally, funding of mental health positions, telehealth, and workforce shortage.
The last day to introduce bills will be February 17, 2023, and we will have a greater assessment of the 2023 legislative landscape at that time.
Federal Advocacy
Veteran’s Affairs – In 2022, there were two significant developments within the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). First, the Office of Personal Management finalized the process for the creation of a new employment classification for both Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors. The VA has indicated that the classification will begin during January and continue in the first half of the year. Second, CAMFT succeeded in inserting language in the Congressional Committee Report that reviews the funding bill for the VA (inserting that Congress is concerned about the barriers to supervisory roles for MFTs in the VA.) The goal for 2023 is to get more specific guidance from the Congress to the VA that would allow graduates of non-COAMFTE schools to progress to supervisory status (and therefore higher pay) in the VA.
Medicare – As most of you are likely aware, CAMFT’s Medicare bill was passed and signed into law by the President! Starting in 2024, MFTs and LPCCs can be reimbursed as Medicare providers. This exciting turn of events is the culmination of two decades of advocacy and efforts by CAMFT’s Board of Directors, staff, lobbyists, Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition, Grassroots Advocacy Teams, and CAMFT membership. CAMFT will spend 2023 educating the membership on next steps in this amazing new phase of mental health for the Medicare population.
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