Legislative Update — Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT

CAMFT Facebook Page Legislative Updates
January and February 2026

January 7, 2026

Behavioral health education is at risk!

The U.S. Department of Education plans to reclassify many behavioral health graduate programs as non-professional degrees starting July 2026, limiting access to higher federal graduate loans.

Take action today through our Grassroots Action Center to help protect mental health education. The message is already written to your U.S. senators and representative. You can edit it, or simply send as-is.

It'll only take a minute or two!

https://www.votervoice.net/CAMFT/Campaigns/131975/Respond

#graduateprogram #grassroots #professionalstudents


January 19, 2026

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed sweeping updates to federal student loans, including phasing out Grad PLUS loans and narrowing the definition of who qualifies as a “professional student.”

If finalized, these changes could significantly restrict borrowing options for current and future Marriage and Family Therapists and other Master’s-level health providers.

We’re actively working alongside national partners to push back through coordinated advocacy and grassroots action -- but we need your help!

Take action today through our Grassroots Action Center. The message to your U.S. senators and representative is already written, but you can customize it in just a few clicks.

https://www.votervoice.net/CAMFT/Campaigns/131975/Respond

#graduateprogram #grassroots #professionalstudents


February 3, 2026

Take Action for LMFTs & Veterans!

H.R. 658 removes unfair barriers that prevent LMFTs in the VA from advancing into supervisory roles, improving access to mental health care for veterans and their families.

Contact your U.S. Representative and urge YES here:
https://www.votervoice.net/CAMFT/campaigns/133330/respond

#veteran #mentalhealthcare #actioncenter #MFTsinVAs


February 6, 2026

On February 2, the House of Representatives passed HR 658, a bill that would remove a barrier that prevents many MFTs within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from serving in supervisory roles.

CAMFT thanks AAMFT for their partnership in this effort. Collectively, we are in gratitude to the MFTs who wrote to Congress urging their representatives to support this legislation.

Special thanks also to bill sponsor Representative Jula B Brownley (D-CA), and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chair Mike Bost (R-IL) and Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) for supporting this important legislation!

#HR658

Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT maintains a full-time private practice in Woodland Hills, CA. He works with children, teens, adults and families, with an emphasis on supporting the special needs community. He can be contacted at 818.674.9834 or ArielCohenLMFT@gmail.com.