Tips and Tools for Social Workers

Many social workers have been wondering how the recent shutdown of the federal government affected Medicare annual enrollment for calendar year 2026. Similarly, questions have arisen regarding the impact of recent changes within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the enactment of the July 2025 budget reconciliation law (P.L. 119-21, also known as H.R.1) on Medicare coverage for the upcoming calendar year. This four-part series of Tips & Tools for Social Workers addresses those questions and provides additional updates..

NASW appreciates the opportunity to submit comments on CMS–1832–P, Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on the revisions of Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2026 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program. 

Cannabis use increases the risk for heart attack and stroke, including among young people with no prior history of cardiovascular issues, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed data on 200 million people aged 19 to 59 and found that cannabis users had a 29% higher risk of heart attack and 30% higher risk of stroke compared to nonusers. Cannabis users were also twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease.

Effective September 30, 2025, several telehealth flexibilities that were put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic expired and now require congressional actions to be renewed. As of today, lawmakers have not addressed the expirations. Clinical social workers should be aware of two expirations that may impact the way they practice:the geographic waiver and in-person requirement.

The budget reconciliation act passed by Congressional Republicans on July 3 and signed into law by President Trump on July 4 (infamously known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) will harm all of us as we age. This publication provides a brief overview of the federal budgeting process and outlines how the law decreases older adults’ access to Medicaid, the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare, long-term services and supports (LTSS), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—disproportionately affecting older immigrants and refugees—while weakening Social Security and other public programs.

June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) encourages everyone to recognize the vital role social workers play in supporting those affected by PTSD.