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HHS Announces More Than $700 Million in Behavioral Health Funding

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced more than $700 million in behavioral health funding opportunities to address mental illness, substance use disorders and homelessness.

529 Plan Changes: How These Accounts Can Be More Beneficial for Counselors

H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, was signed into law in July 2025. Among many other provisions, the changes to 529 plans could positively affect counselors and their financial situation.

Share Your Story: How Insurance Practices Affect Counselors and Clients

Insurers (including Medicaid managed care organizations) have been aggressively pursuing clawbacks, reimbursement reductions, downcoding, and other “cost-saving” approaches. This is enormously disruptive and harmful for the counseling community.

Legal Protections for Conversion Therapy Survivors in Colorado

Colorado HB26-1322, “Legal Protections for Conversion Therapy Survivors,” has passed the Colorado General Assembly and is currently awaiting action by Governor Jared Polis. Because the legislature adjourned May 13, 2026, the Governor...

Rule Finalized Reducing Access to Federal Student Loans

The Trump Administration has finalized its rule reducing counseling students’ access to federal student loans. Starting July 1, 2026, as part of provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the U.S. Department of Education (ED)...

Advocacy Win- CareSource of Ohio Suspends Planned Clawbacks

Counselors in Ohio reported that CareSource, a nonprofit Medicaid managed care organization (MCO), was planning on taking back payments for behavioral health services after reviewing past claims.

Tennessee LPC/MFT Licensure Board Update

The Tennessee General Assembly advanced a bill (SB 2227/ HB 2539) that would eliminate the Licensed Professional Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy Board and house the administrative functions of the board under a Department of Health commission.

Student Loan Borrowers Sue the Department of Education

Student loan borrowers have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education, asserting that the Trump Administration must restart the SAVE plan. The SAVE plan, created under the Biden Administration, is an income-driven repayment program designed...

Call on the Department of Education to formally recognize Counseling Programs as Professional Programs

The Department of Education (ED) is considering significant reductions to federal student loan limits. Under these new limits, counseling students would only be able to borrow $20,500 annually, potentially pushing students toward expensive private...

Update: Federal Mental Health and Addiction Grant Funding Restored

After a day of confusion and uncertainty, the Trump administration moved Wednesday night to restore approximately $2 billion in federal grant funding for mental health and addiction programs nationwide.

SAMHSA Terminates Mental Health and SUD Grants

Late on Jan.13, 2026, hundreds of grantees received termination letters from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), canceling congressionally appropriated grants.

Affordable Care Act Marketplace Subsidies

As of Dec. 17, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace subsidies have not been extended.Despite weeks long debate and several proposed bills, Congress has failed to pass legislation that would extend subsidies for the �ֲ���ýMarketplace.

SUPPORT Act Reauthorization Becomes Law

The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 (SUPPORT Act) was signed into law on December 1, 2025. The legislation reauthorizes and updates FY2026–FY2030 funding for a range of grant programs.

Take Action: Federal Student Loan Caps Threaten Access to Counseling Programs

As part of provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), starting July 1, 2026, the Department of Education (ED) could be making significant changes to federal student loan limits.

Government Shutdown Ends

After 43 days, the federal government will reopen. Congress has passed, and President Trump has signed, a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will fund the federal government through January 30, ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

�ֲ���ýFights for Counselor Access to Mental Health Funding

On July 17th, the Department of Education released new guidance on two of the largest Bipartisan Safer Communities Act mental health grants.

The Impact of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ on Counselors and Mental Health Care

On July 4, President Trump signed H.R. 1 (known as the One Big Beautiful Bill) into law. The legislation will have significant effects on education and health care in addition to other policy areas.

Indiana Counselors: Take Action to Stave Off Reimbursement Rate Cuts

Anthem/Carelon collaboration has stoked concerns of a nearly 50% reduction in reimbursement rates for counseling services. Contact your lawmaker to ensure these reductions stay off the table.  

Proposed Health and Human Services Budget

On May 30, the Trump-Vance Administration released its proposed budget for the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department.

Executive Order on College Accreditation Process

On April 23, 2025, the Trump Administration issued an Executive Order (EO) and fact sheet directing an “overhaul” of the college accreditation process, stating that universities must maintain accreditation to receive federal financial aid.