Four Representatives and two Senators requested language be included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act providing mental health counselors independent practice rights and privileges.

U.S. Reps. John Katko (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduce H.R. 3032, the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2017, seeking to establish mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists as authorized Medicare providers. NBCC is working with its coalition allies to include this legislation in any health care vehicle moving through Congress.

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) sent a letter to the Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management urging the creation of occupational series for counselors and MFTs.

Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) introduces H.R. 5475, the Health Equity and Accountability Act. H.R. 5475 is sponsored by the House Tri-Caucus and addresses health disparities for minority populations.

NBCC works with Sen. Jon Tester (D‐MT) and several appropriations subcommittees to obtain language directing the Office of Personnel Management to move forward with the Series.

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee passes S. 2921, which is a repackaged version of S. 1203 that includes the counselor provisions.

Sen. James Inhofe (R‐OK) and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R‐OK) introduce S. 2771 and H.R. 5161 to make graduates of CACREP doctoral programs eligible for VA employment.

VA submits a letter to NBCC stating that it would not be prioritizing the occupational series for counselors and MFTs.

Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY), Sen. Barrasso (R-WY) and counselor/MFT organizations push to include Medicare legislation in the pending mental health reform package.

Retiring Rep. Chris Gibson (R‐NY) makes it a priority to pass legislation adding counselors to Medicare and adds 10 Republican cosponsors to H.R. 2759 (the most House Republicans ever), raising the total to 50 cosponsors.

NBCC works with Native American counselors to open Indian Health Service (IHS) scholarship program to counselors. IHS surveys facilities about the need for counselors and received positive responses. IHS is internally discussing the addition in the next funding cycle.

NBCC pursues appropriations language to finance increased mental health services in Native American communities through the Mental Health Facilitator program.

At NBCC’s urging, several House and Senate Armed Services Committee Members include in their list of priorities for FY17 National Defense Authorization Act language creating a national credentialing standard and authorizing direct commissioning for counselors.

NBCC spearheads inclusion of language in three veterans bills, S. 1676, S. 1203 and S. 2921, to urge the creation of a federal occupational series for counselors. NBCC includes similar language in defense proposals.