Medicare-Approved Provider Status Passes Important Milestone

The Mental Health Access Improvement Act ( H . R . 432 ) passed the House of Representative Ways and Means Committee on Sept . 21 . The bill ( S . 828 / H . R . 432 ) would close the gap in federal law that prevents mental health counselors , Licensed Professional Counselors , and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists from being recognized as Medicare providers .

The legislation would give Medicare beneficiaries immediate access to more than 225,000 additional licensed mental health professionals and help close the widening treatment gap .

To stay up-to-date with the latest AMHCA advocacy efforts , visit amhca . org / advocacy / medicare . To review the markup of the Ways and Means Committee , visit bit . ly / 3Usz5wP . To read the analysis

of the bill by the Association of American Medical Colleges , visit bit . ly / 3G2pWH4 .

AMHCA Annual Conference Returns to New Orleans June 27 – 29 , 2023

AMHCA has a wonderful history with the city of New Orleans . After Hurricane Katrina devastated the area in 2005 , AMHCA held its conference in 2007 in the recovering city , with 2007 – 2008 President ( and Louisiana local ) Dr . Gary Gintner leading a successful and meaningful event .

In 2016 , AMHCA returned to the Crescent City to celebrate our 40 ^th anniversary with 2016 – 2017 President Suzanne Walker . Under her leadership we celebrated , shared memories , and danced a NOLA “ second line ” until the music stopped . In 2023 , AMHCA will return to New Orleans once again with our 2023 – 2024 President

Dr . Deirdra Sanders- Burnett . Join us as we return to a city with a vibrant history , amazing food , and unique atmosphere . Visit AMHCA ’ s website for updates , at amhca . org / conference .

Earn CEs and Stay Current Via AMHCA Home Studies , Webinars , and Workshops

• Try two timely Home Studies — AMHCA ’ s 2022 Fall Summit , and the Journal of Mental Health Counseling — at www . amhca . org / members / career / homestudies

• To become a Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator , visit : www . nbfe . net / event-5028284

• For webinars on the LGBT community , women of color in leadership , and the legacies of racial hurt , visit amhca . org / events / upcomingevents .

AMHCA Honors Member Excellence Through Its 2022 Awards

Mental Health Counselor of the Year : Dr . Katherine James

Emerging Professional of the Year : Cody Helgesen

Dr . Linda Seligman Counselor Educator of the Year : Dr . Deirdra Sanders-Burnett

President ’ s Award : Daniel H . Gillison , Jr ., CEO of NAMI

Researcher of the Year : Dr . Eman Tadros

President 2021 – 22 and For Going Above and Beyond : Dr . Beverly Smith

Outstanding Chapter Award : Utah Mental Health Counselors Association

Washington Mental Health Counselors Association

Leadership Award :

Karen Langer

James Blundo

Leadership Award in the Advancement of Clinical Practice : Dr . Judith Harrington

Leadership Award in the Area of the Counseling Compact :

Dr . Jeri Stevens

Dr . Gray Otis

Leadership Award in the Area of Neuroscience :

Dr . Yoon Dr . Michelle Penijean Suh Moh Ghoston Gracefire

See more AMHCA Awards photos at www . amhca . org Leadership / about / awards Award . for

Founding AMHCA : Dr . James Messina

Legislator of the Year :

Dr . Lester Jackson ( D – Ga .)

6 The Advocate Magazine 2022 , Issue # 32 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org