Blueprint of Public Policy Priorities for the 119th Congress

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is pleased to present its Blueprint of Public Policy Priorities for the 119^th Congress, outlining a forward-looking strategy that elevates the social work profession and ensures its integral role in addressing the pressing challenges facing our nation. With a rapidly evolving policy landscape, the 119th Congress will serve as a pivotal arena for advancing federal policies that support social workers, protect vulnerable communities, and promote equity and justice for all. The priorities in this document represent the public policy strategies and goals of NASW in the current Congress to advance the social work profession and promote the health and well-being of the individuals, families, and communities that social workers serve.

Priorities addressed in the Blueprint include the cornerstones of the social work profession, such as strengthening child welfare services to enhance child and family well-being, and innovations so new to the profession as to barely yet be defined, such as the impact of artificial intelligence on the policies and procedures of the profession. The priorities were chosen based on their relevance to the profession, their likelihood of being addressed in the 119^th Congress, and feedback from NASW departments and chapters.

The new Congress convenes at a time of profound societal transformation. Our nation faces a mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic inequities that demand bold solutions, and an urgent need to rebuild the social safety net. Social workers are uniquely positioned to address these challenges, yet the profession faces significant hurdles, from workforce shortages, inadequate and unequitable reimbursement fees, to policies that fail to meet the diverse needs of the communities’ social workers serve. The Blueprint highlights the federal government’s role in overcoming these obstacles and creating an environment where social work can thrive. It identifies opportunities for advocacy to protect and advance the social work workforce through student loan forgiveness, safety in the workplace, investment in education pipelines and minority-owned businesses, and increases in social work reimbursement; and opportunities for advocacy to protect the nation’s social safety net through expanding the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), enhancing federal support for child welfare programs, and enhancing access to mental health services. The Blueprint also includes sections on strategies to expand civic engagement and foster communities of action, a section that highlights strategies NASW will use to monitor and report back on these strategic actions and initiatives, and a special section on protecting Medicaid, which could see enormous budget cuts in the current Congress that could dramatically reduce access to vital services for children, older adults, individuals with disabilities, low-income families, and the health care workforce as a whole.

Polarization in Congress may hinder our progress on these issues, making it essential to build strategic coalitions and advocate effectively to promote the priorities of NASW. At the same time, the regulatory authority of the executive branch and judicial decisions will have a major impact on the policy landscape, necessitating vigilance and adaptability from social workers across the country. As the nation’s largest membership organization of professional social workers, NASW is committed to being a leading voice in these efforts. This Blueprint serves as a roadmap for leveraging the federal government’s resources and influence to protect, promote, and invest in the social work profession, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of our nation’s commitment to social justice and human well-being.

Foreword

Legislative Priorities: Investing in Social Work

Advocating for Equitable Reimbursement

Across the country, millions of Medicare beneficiaries experience significant health and mental health challenges. The beneficiary population is rapidly increasing in size, changing demographically, and coping with issues such as functional limitations, multiple chronic conditions, social isolation, economic insecurity, and ageism.

Leveraging and Protecting the Workforce from Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI technologies are increasingly used in healthcare and social work to streamline administrative tasks, conduct risk assessments, and improve case management. The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) projects that by 2025, AI will manage over 85% of customer interactions in healthcare.

Promoting Social Worker Safety

Social workers often operate in high-stress, high-risk environments without adequate protections, exposing them to threats, violence, and harassment. Between 2016 and 2020, the healthcare and social assistance industry saw 207 fatalities due to workplace violence.

Safeguarding Student Loan Debt Relief

According to the Council on Social Work Education, over 71% of baccalaureate graduates and over 76% of master’s graduates have loan debt. In 2020, the average loan debt amount for Masters’s level graduates was $47,965, compared to $32,198 in 2010.

Supporting Women- and Minority-Owned Private Practices

Women and minority providers are essential in delivering culturally competent mental health and social services, especially in underserved communities. Patients experience better outcomes when treated by providers who share their cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Legislative Priorities: Investing in Children and Families

Ensuring Access to Affordable Child Care

There is a child care crisis in America. Currently, the United States has no unified child care or early learning system that ensures every family can find the care that suits their needs best. Families can either piece together care for expensive and limited options or leave the workforce behind and care for their children themselves.

Expanding Access to Tax Credits

Taxes are the foundation of budgets for families, communities, and states. In 2017, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which produced a financial windfall for ultra-wealthy people while cutting resources for programs that serve vulnerable populations including Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and federal student loan programs.

Improving Access to Telemental Health Services

During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), Medicare telehealth flexibilities were critical in enabling beneficiaries to maintain access to health and mental health care services. The American Relief Act, 2025 extended several telehealth flexibilities implemented during the PHE through March 31, 2025.

Strengthening Child Welfare Services

NASW has long worked to strengthen child welfare services and enhance child and family well-being. Child welfare social workers carry high caseloads and often have inadequate supervision, significant safety concerns, limited training and resources, and shockingly low pay, all while making crucial decisions that impact the lives of children and families.

Supporting Paid Leave

This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the FMLA, which gave many Americans guaranteed and job-protected leave to care for themselves or a family member with a medical condition. Yet, many people do not have access to leave under FMLA because their employers are exempt, they haven’t worked sufficient hours to qualify, or they are self-employed.

Special Section: Protecting Medicaid

Congress and the White House have recently completed the first steps in the path to the end budget of a budget reconciliation process — expected to be finalized in April or May 2025— that will likely culminate in massive cuts to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other social safety-net programs.

Regulatory Advocacy

Regulatory advocacy is a cornerstone of NASW’s efforts to advance the social work profession and improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. By focusing on licensure portability, expanding the role of social workers in federal programs, and addressing gaps in healthcare integration, NASW will ensure that social workers are well-positioned to meet evolving societal needs.

Executive Branch Engagement

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) will actively engage with the executive branch to ensure social work priorities are integrated into the federal agenda. By partnering with key federal agencies and leveraging executive orders, we aim to advance policies and programs that empower social workers, improve access to services, and address systemic inequities.

Monitoring and Accountability

As NASW advances its federal advocacy efforts, monitoring, and accountability remain crucial for ensuring that policies reflect the values and needs of the social work profession. The initiatives described below will enhance our capacity to track progress, engage members, and hold policymakers accountable.

Looking Beyond 2026: Building Long-Term Federal Advocacy Strategies

As we look beyond 2026, the National Association of Social Workers remains steadfast in its commitment to shaping a future where the work profession thrives, and the communities we serve have equitable access to the resources and support they need. The Blueprint has laid a strong foundation for advancing federal advocacy, but our work does not end here.