Drop by APAPAC Suite
A reception for supporters of APA's political action committee, APAPAC, will take place Saturday, May 19, at the San Diego Marriott. There is still plenty of time to join the PAC before the annual meeting, and you can do so online at<www.psych.org/members/apapac/index.cfm>.
Also, during your stay in San Diego, stop by the APAPAC Suite at the San Diego Marriott and help make APAPAC an integral part of APA's campaign to educate Congress about the needs of the profession and your patients.
APAPAC gives APA members with a direct opportunity to support the election of federal candidates who will best advocate for psychiatry's interest in Congress. This year psychiatry will face crucial challenges in Congress, and it is essential that we have the opportunity to meet with and inform key legislators on a variety of issues that will directly affect your practice. Key legislative agenda items on which APA is urging action in this session of Congress are
Opposition to expanding prescribing privileges for nonphysicians on the federal level. Such an expansion is being sought within the Indian Health Services. | |||||
Prevention of arbitrary exclusions that could limit the psychotropic medications available under Medicaid and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. | |||||
Support for efforts to block threatened cuts in Medicare payments. | |||||
Opposition to draconian cuts to Medicaid programs that will limit access to mental health care. | |||||
Repeal of the ban on benzodiazepine coverage under Medicare Part D. | |||||
Blocking attempts by marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors to have Medicare cover independent reimbursement of their services. | |||||
Ending the discriminatory copay required for Medicare beneficiaries who seek mental health services. | |||||
Ending insurance discrimination against all people with mental illness. | |||||
Your PAC support enables APA to continue to increase its proactive education and lobbying efforts to key legislators on these and other issues that confront psychiatric practice and patients who need mental health care.
More information about APAPAC is available in the Members Corner of APA's Web site at<www.psych.org/members/apapac/index.cfm> and from Jason Pray by e-mail at [email protected] or phone at (703) 907-8581.
