There is little for me to report this month due to very few relevant changes in legislative action since the December 2020 report (click here to review it), but I do have two updates for this month.

Regarding state legislation, FMHCA's lobbyist sent me a message 2 days ago providing the following update regarding the COVID-19 Mental Health bill that we referenced in December's report: "The bill should be out of drafting very soon and ready for filing.  I'll email the final draft from House and the Senate drafting once I have it."  Keep your eyes peeled in the February update for more on this bill!

Regarding federal legislation, the Mental Health Access Improvement Act that we referenced in last month's update, which would give Medicare parity for LMHCs and LMFTs, did not pass before the end of the legislative session, though it got farther in the process than ever before.  However, the good news is that Stabenow, Barrasso, Thompsons, and Katko are all committed to sponsoring the bill again and trying to pass it in 2021.  I ought to have more information next month.