Rachel Boyer, MSW, LMSW, Senior Public Policy Associate
The morning before the 2026 NASW National Conference began, 160 social workers from 37 states attended 186 meetings in both the U.S. House and Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. The purpose of these meetings was to deepen relationships with Members of Congress and build support for key legislation that assists the social work workforce and expands access to care for the clients we serve.
“NASW members offer a unique and crucial point of view as leaders of their community and experts in their field,” Dina Kastner, Public Policy and Advocacy Manager. “NASW’s Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill is one opportunity for social workers to help shape federal policy by sharing their stories directly with decision-makers.”
Dr. Gwen Bouie-Haynes and Board Member Marla Blunt-Carter in Rep. Sarah McBride’s (DE-AL-D) office
Washington Delegation with Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06-D)
Members with Sen. Jon Ossoff (GA-D)
Members with Sen. Chris Coons (DE-D)
The day began bright and early with a briefing to participants on NASW’s priority legislation and instruction on the mobile tool that was used to navigate the Capitol Hill Complex. Following the presentation, members boarded buses in the rain and headed up to the Hill. Once they arrived, the participants assembled to take some quick photos on the Capitol steps before rushing off to join the snaking lines into the office buildings to make their morning meetings.
While most attendees engaged with congressional staffers, some participants were able to meet directly with their elected lawmakers and share the importance of supporting legislation that prioritizes social workers and their clients.
Members with Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01-D)
Members with Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20-D)
Members with Rep. Tom Barrett (MI-07-R)
Members with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK-R)
"Sitting across the table from fellow social workers now serving as congressional staffers during NASW's Advocacy Day was a powerful reminder of where this work can lead,” Leanne Rupp, MSW, LCSW. “Talking through issues like increasing Medicare reimbursement rates for clinical social workers, and the urgent need to reverse the Department of Education's reclassification of social work as a 'non-professional' degree, made clear how much is riding on us showing up and telling our stories.”
Participants were on Capitol Hill throughout the morning and early afternoon for meetings and were able to explore the complex between their appointments.
NASW members taking photos across the Capitol Hill Complex between meetings
NASW policy staff are now following-up with offices, based on feedback from meetings, to secure additional co-sponsors of the key legislation.
“We appreciate everyone who participated in Advocacy Day 2026 and cannot wait to see how social workers take the lessons they learned and apply them at home throughout the year. While the team here in DC will continue fighting for social workers, over 150 members can follow up with their members back home, bring more friends along, and help us achieve the changes we are working to see” says Jeremy Haines, MA, Director, Public Policy and Government Relations, NASW.
Please read below for more information on the bills that participants urged their members to support:
Medicare Access and Reimbursement
The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act (S. 4202/H.R. 8081)
Lead Sponsors: Sens. John Barrasso (WY-R) and Chris Coons (DE-D), and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01-R) and Paul Tonko (NY-20-D)
Provisions:
- Aligns Clinical Social Workers (CSWs) Medicare reimbursement rate with other non-physician providers through a 10 percent increase to 85 percent of the clinical psychologist rate.
The Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act (S. 1797/ H.R. 3808)
Lead Sponsors: Sens. John Barrasso (WY-R) and Chris Coons (DE-D) and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01-R) and Paul Tonko (NY-20-D)
- Increase Access to CSW Services for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) residents by allowing CSWs to bill independently at SNFs.
- Provide Access to CSW Services that Help Medicare Beneficiaries Who are Coping with Physical Health Conditions by reimbursing CSWs for providing Health and Behavior Assessment and Intervention (HBAI) services.
Student Loan Limits
Lead Sponsors: Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17-R)
- Removes outdated regulatory references and established a statutory definition of “professional degree” as preparation for licensed professional practice requiring skills beyond a bachelor’s degree.
- Codifies specific degrees beyond those listed in 34 CFR 668.2 (including social work, nursing, occupational therapy, and more) to be eligible for higher student loan limits while allowing the Secretary of Education to designate additional qualifying programs.
The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act (S. 4039/ H.R. 6677)
Lead Sponsors: Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (MD-D) and Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15-D)
- Rescinds the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) changes, reverting loan limits for graduate and professional programs back to pre-OBBBA (up to the cost of attendance) plus restores Grad PLUS loans.
The Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals Act (H.R. 6574)
Lead Sponsors: Rep. Tim Kennedy (NY-26-D)
- Raises the loan limits for “graduate” programs to be equal to that of “professional” programs (erasing the difference), bringing both to the OBBBA professional program level ($50,000 per year, $200,000 over a lifetime).
Social Safety Net
Lead Sponsors: Sen. Michael Bennet (CO-D) and Reps. Grace Meng and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01-R)
- Allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be used at grocery retailers to purchase hot foods.
You can advocate for support for these bills and others, by responding to NASW’s action alerts, here: https://www.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Legislative-Alerts.