June 27, 2019

Thank you to everyone who responded to our call to action. It worked! Bills to expand services of Licensed Mental Health Practitioners, including Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCATs), passed both the Senate and the Assembly in the final days of the Legislative Session. Now it is up to the Governor! If you reside or work in New York State, please urge Governor Cuomo to support these important bills expanding access to creative arts therapies. Share your story as an art therapist working in NY and what this legislation will mean for your clients.

TAKE ACTION! Call 1-518-474-8390 or send a note using this form and ask Governor Cuomo to support S3421 and A670.

Medicaid Reimbursement Bill

S3421 would make care and services provided by licensed mental health practitioners licensed under Article 163 of the Education Law (including LCATs, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychoanalysts) eligible for coverage under the State Medicaid program.  The bill passed the Senate on June 17, 61 to 1, and the Assembly on June 18, 133 to 15!

Private Insurance Bill

A670 would also expand coverage of licensed mental health practitioners’ services, requiring blanket health insurance policies to provide coverage for these practitioners in outpatient treatment, in addition to psychiatrists, psychologists and licensed clinical social workers, which insurers are already required to reimburse under the current law. The bill passed the Assembly on June 18, 128 to 20 and passed the Senate unanimously on June 19th (62 to 0)!

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