Wins, Losses, and the Road Ahead
Workforce
By Barbara Bedney, PhD, MSW
It is not typically my preference to start this column with losses, but I feel I have to in this case. We just lost a big one, and the repercussions will be severe and long-lasting. The tax and spending bill passed by Congress and signed by Donald Trump in July will deny millions of Americans access to basic health care, food and nutrition; put hundreds of hospitals and community health centers at risk of closure; deny millions of women access to reproductive and well-baby care; cut services that enable older adults and individuals with disabilities to live safely in their homes; and lead to greater numbers of preventable deaths. NASW is appalled by the passage of this bill and we remain committed to doing everything we can to limit the damage it will cause.
It is not just the welfare of these programs and populations that has been jeopardized by this bill. The health, well-being, strength and diversity of our own workforce and the future of our profession also are at risk. By decimating student loan programs that make college education affordable—such as Pell Grants, Parents PLUS loans, and the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan—the bill cuts a vital lifeline to students who want to pursue college and advanced degrees, including social work degrees.
The outcome for many of these students will be severely limited access to a college education and to the degrees and professions to which they are called. NASW will not sit by while the strength and sustainability of our profession is threatened. We will continue to advocate for these programs and the benefits they provide to students and families across the country, including future social workers.
We did have some wins this quarter. Even in the most stressful of times, there is good news to share and new accomplishments to celebrate.
The Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act (S. 1797/H.R. 3808) has now been introduced in the House and Senate. The legislation would allow clinical social workers to be reimbursed by Medicare Part B for psychotherapy services provided to residents in skilled nursing facilities under Medicare Part A. It also would broaden the range of Health Behavior Assessment and Intervention services for which CSWs can receive Medicare reimbursement—advancing two of NASW’s long-term goals.
Visit our Action Center to submit letters to Congress to help us advocate for this bill.
Two members of NASW’s practice team—April Ferguson and Makeba Royall—received grants from the American Public Health Association to advance knowledge about the interconnection between adverse childhood experiences, overdose and suicide. Our chapters continued their outstanding work to engage members, advocate for social workers, and advance the field.
In June, some 2,000 social workers gathered at our national conference in Chicago for learning, networking and mobilizing that showcased the power of our profession.
As NASW celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, I hope you will join us in recognizing these accomplishments; honoring our resilience, particularly in tough times; continuing the fight for what we believe in; and looking forward to the many accomplishments I know lie ahead.
Barbara Bedney is chief of programs at NASW.