Around the country, the APA Department of Government Relations provides assistance to District Branches/State Associations on state legislative and regulatory affairs. Activities include tracking health care legislation, serving as a clearinghouse for best lobbying practices and model legislation, and providing on-site strategic assistance and grassroots training.
Medicaid Work Requirements Toolkit
H.R. 1 was passed on July 4, 2025, and includes significant funding cuts and policy changes to Medicaid and the ACA marketplace, physician payment, and medical student loans. The law included exemptions from the Medicaid work requirements for individuals with a "substance use disorder or a disabling mental health condition," as well as exemptions from the additional cost sharing requirements for primary care and substance use and mental health care services. The specifics about the exemptions are still to be determined by the federal government in guidance to the States. In preparation for changes coming to States, we have created a toolkit of the Medicaid changes made in H.R.1. The toolkit highlights a timeline of select provisions of H.R.1, the community engagement requirements, and how DBs can get involved with template letters and op eds.
Model Parity Legislation
APA has created parity-implementation legislation for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, designed to require transparency and accountability from insurers and state regulators. Each state can download legislation that is tailored specifically for that state's terminology and formatting.
Model Collaborative Care Legislation
APA has created legislation that would increase access to mental healthcare by having private insurers reimburse Collaborative Care billing codes. Legislation has been drafted for all 50 states and the District of Columbia and is designed to be a positive legislative solution for addressing access to care while being budget-neutral for the state. Each state can download legislation that is tailored specifically for that state's terminology and formatting.
Non-Physician Scope of Practice Advocacy
Learn more about APA's work to confront state legislative efforts by psychologists and other healthcare professionals to gain prescribing privileges. Please contact the APA Director of State Government Relations to discuss Scope of Practice concerns in your state through [email protected].
District Branch Grant Information
The Committee on Advocacy and Litigation Funding (CALF) has the responsibility of reviewing requests, usually from District Branches/ State Associations, for financial support of projects involving legislation, litigation, and advocacy; of making recommendations regarding funding to the Board of Trustees; and of proposing coordinated activity by other APA components or District Branches/State Associations. CALF reports to the Council on Advocacy and Government Relations (CAGR). CAGR, in turn, makes recommendations through the Joint Reference Committee to the Board of Trustees where a funding decision is made.