Legislative Update — Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT

CAMFT Facebook Page Legislative Updates
February and April 2026

February 26, 2026

Help protect loan access -- and the future of the mental health workforce!

A proposed federal rule would exclude master’s-level mental health professionals, including MFTs, from higher federal student loan limits -- making graduate education significantly less accessible for future therapists.

We need your story!

Submit a comment directly through our grassroots Action Center and help protect access to education funding for MFTs.

https://www.votervoice.net/CAMFT/Campaigns/134315/Respond

#healthprofessionals #healthworkforce #studentloan #graduateeducation #grassroots


April 1, 2026

CAMFT aligns with American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, American Psychological Association and American Counseling Association in sharing our disappointment and deep concern for the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could overturn Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy.

We are deeply unsettled by the court's position, and CAMFT continues to support evidenced based care.

While this ruling is deeply disappointing, it does not immediately impact the standard of care in California or California's prohibition on conversion therapy.

See our statements supporting the LGBTQAI+ community at https://www.camft.org/statements. We will continue to keep members apprised of any developments.


April 6, 2026

Big news for mental health providers!

New bipartisan legislation (S.4202), known as the Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act, has been introduced to strengthen access to care and support the mental health workforce.

If passed, this Act would increase Medicare reimbursement rates for MFTs, MHCs and CSWs from 75% to 85% of the Physician Fee Schedule.

CAMFT proudly joins the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition in endorsing this legislation towards pay equity and long-term sustainability.

Read the press release here:

https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-coons-introduce.../

#MMHWC #bipartisanlegislation #increasemedicare #supportact #feeschedule #pressrelease


April 7, 2026

The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists™ proudly honors Paul D. Tonko as our 2025 Outstanding Federal Legislator of the Year!

Presented by our federal lobbyist, David Connolly, this award recognizes his leadership in advancing mental health parity and expanding access to care for seniors and underserved communities.

We are proud to recognize his continued leadership and impact on improving access to mental health care.


April 9, 2026

Advocacy Day 2026 was a powerful success!

Last month, over 40 dedicated CAMFT™ members came together in Sacramento to make their presence felt, participating in more than 50 legislative meetings with policymakers and staff.

Together, we advocated for SB 903 and advanced critical conversations around the scope of practice for LMFTs, ensuring our profession continues to grow and meet the needs of Californians.

Thank you to everyone who showed up and represented the strength of our community.

#AdvocacyDay2026 #criticalconversations #advocate

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.