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Washington Mental Health
Counselors Association

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WMHCA offices will be closed from December 24, 2024 through January 1, 2025.

POLICY & PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY COmmittee

Committee Mission Statement


The Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee provides proactive leadership in the development of state-level mental health policies and statutes. WMHCA is responsive to the expressed needs of the profession and community-at-large by identifying and reducing barriers through collaborative relationships with stakeholders. We seek to elevate marginalized and underserved populations through active engagement via direct lobbying, advocacy, and activism.

Contact information


Chair: Sharon Shadwell, LMHC

Vice-Chair: Open


If you are a member and would like to schedule a meeting with your Senator or Representatives Sara can help facilitate that.  Legislators are always interested in hearing about the issues that impact their constitutes.  Please reach out to Sara if you want to schedule something. 

Sara Stewart is retained by WMHCA as our lobbyist.  She advocates for us during legislative session and keeps us up to date with information throughout the year.

MONTHLY LOBBYIST REPORTS

Washington State Legislature Calendar

Want to meet with a legislator?

Find your district

Policy Updates and Changes-Updates Coming Soon

What We're Paying Attention to

Apple Health Provider Rate Increases-The 2021-23 state operating budget includes a 2 percent increase for all services paid through the behavioral health portion of the managed care capitation rates.  This rate increase is retroactively effective back to April 1, 2021. Providers will see this change effective in their payments beginning in October 2021; however, there are multiple contracting arrangements and other factors that may affect timing for these distributions.  Provider Billing Guides and Fee Schedules

Telemedicine and Audio-Only ESHB 1196 removes this exclusion from the coverage requirement, establishes conditions for coverage of such services and amends statutory language related to telemedicine payment parity. Rules may be needed to clarify terms related to several components of the new law. Such rules will facilitate implementation of the law by ensuring that all affected entities understand their rights and obligations under the new law.  WMHCA is working with legislators to define what audio-only means for therapist and to clarify definitions around established relationships.

Telemedicine and audio-only telemedicine services (R 2021-06)- We attended the Stakeholder meeting on August 6, 2021.  After the meeting we provided additional written comments.  Here is the link for more information from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

On September 23rd, a CR-101 was filed with the Code Reviser regarding the implementation of Engrossed Senate Substitute Bill 5229.  This bill requires health professions licesees to complete health equity training every 4 years.  WMHCA will continue to maintain a voice in this process and attend the meetings and provide public comment.

April 6, 2020 Regarding Governor's Proclamations and Secretary of Health License Renewal Extensions

Meeting Information

  • The PPAC committee meets the 1st Thursday of every month at 12:00 PM. 
  • Meeting Registration is Below

Upcoming Meetings

  • CANCELLED: Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee Meeting

    • 01/02/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom

    The monthly meeting for the Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee.  Meetings are typically held the 1st Thursday of the month.

    Show details

  • Day on the Hill Information Session

    • 01/10/2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The Washington State Legislative Session will start this year on January 13, 2025.  WMHCA is gearing up for the beginning of session by planning several events for members to participate in Day on the Hill.  These events prepare members to meet face-to-face with their senate and house state representatives to advocate for vital professional and mental health issues. WMHCA's Day on the Hill is scheduled for February 14, 2024. 

    The first event is the Day on the Hill Information session, scheduled for January 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM. This session is for members who have never attended WMHCA's Day on the Hill, or want a refresher. During the information session, there will be review of the legislative process and discussion on effective advocacy strategies for the counseling profession. Participants will also learn how to set up meetings with their legislators, what to expect during these meetings, and why personal meetings are important for professional advocacy. WMHCA is working on inviting a legislator to attend and discuss the value they see in meeting with their constituents.

    WMHCA will also offer a Day on the Hill Prep Session on February 6th from 11-12 during the PPAC's regular meeting.   This session will cover specific talking points for the Day on the Hill and an overview of bills WMHCA is supporting and opposing.  Register here for the Febraury 6, 2025 meeting. 

    Finally, the Day on the Hill is scheduled for February 14, 2025.  The PPAC will head to Olympia to engage in the legislative process.  This will be an opportunity to meet with legislators and watch committee hearings.  WMHCA members can share  their collective voice about important bills and participate in the legislative process.  Register here for WMHCA's Day on the Hill.

    If you think you may attend WMHCA's Day on the Hill, please register.  You are not required to attend the first two events to attend the Day on the Hill.
    Show details

  • Insurance Task Force Meeting

    • 01/17/2025
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register
    The mission of this task force is focused around creating transparency and increasing knowledge regarding Mental Health Insurance credentialing, contracting, and billing. Currently the task force is working on the development of an Insurance Usage and Satisfaction Survey for practicing clinicians with questions intended to help us develop Rating Score Cards for Insurance Companies that will be accessible to the general clinical population; the development of a Navigating Insurance Company Credentialing, Contracting and Billing Resource List; and the development of a more active relationship with the Office of the Insurance Commission.
    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee Meeting

    • 02/06/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The monthly meeting for the Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee.  Meetings are typically held the 1st Thursday of the month.

    This meeting will be used as WMHCA's Day on the Hill Prep Session. This session will cover specific talking points for the Day on the Hill and an overview of bills WMHCA is supporting and opposing.

    Day on the Hill is scheduled for February 14, 2025.  The PPAC will head to Olympia to engage in the legislative process.  This will be an opportunity to meet with legislators and watch committee hearings.  WMHCA members can share  their collective voice about important bills and participate in the legislative process.  Register here for WMHCA's Day on the Hill.

    If you think you may attend WMHCA's Day on the Hill, please register.  You are not required to attend the first two events to attend the Day on the Hill.
    Show details

  • WMHCA's Day on the Hill

    • 02/14/2025
    • 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    • Olympia
    Register

    WMHCA's Day on the Hill is tentatively scheduled for February 14, 2025.  The PPAC will head to Olympia to engage in the legislative process.  This will be an opportunity to meet with legislators and watch committee hearings.  WMHCA members can share  their collective voice about important bills and participate in the legislative process.  

    Show details

  • Insurance Task Force Meeting

    • 02/21/2025
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register
    The mission of this task force is focused around creating transparency and increasing knowledge regarding Mental Health Insurance credentialing, contracting, and billing. Currently the task force is working on the development of an Insurance Usage and Satisfaction Survey for practicing clinicians with questions intended to help us develop Rating Score Cards for Insurance Companies that will be accessible to the general clinical population; the development of a Navigating Insurance Company Credentialing, Contracting and Billing Resource List; and the development of a more active relationship with the Office of the Insurance Commission.
    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee Meeting

    • 03/06/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The monthly meeting for the Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee.  Meetings are typically held the 1st Thursday of the month.

    Show details

  • Insurance Task Force Meeting

    • 03/21/2025
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register
    The mission of this task force is focused around creating transparency and increasing knowledge regarding Mental Health Insurance credentialing, contracting, and billing. Currently the task force is working on the development of an Insurance Usage and Satisfaction Survey for practicing clinicians with questions intended to help us develop Rating Score Cards for Insurance Companies that will be accessible to the general clinical population; the development of a Navigating Insurance Company Credentialing, Contracting and Billing Resource List; and the development of a more active relationship with the Office of the Insurance Commission.
    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee Meeting

    • 04/03/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The monthly meeting for the Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee.  Meetings are typically held the 1st Thursday of the month.

    Show details

  • Insurance Task Force Meeting

    • 04/18/2025
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register
    The mission of this task force is focused around creating transparency and increasing knowledge regarding Mental Health Insurance credentialing, contracting, and billing. Currently the task force is working on the development of an Insurance Usage and Satisfaction Survey for practicing clinicians with questions intended to help us develop Rating Score Cards for Insurance Companies that will be accessible to the general clinical population; the development of a Navigating Insurance Company Credentialing, Contracting and Billing Resource List; and the development of a more active relationship with the Office of the Insurance Commission.
    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee Meeting

    • 05/01/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The monthly meeting for the Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee.  Meetings are typically held the 1st Thursday of the month.

    Show details

  • Insurance Task Force Meeting

    • 05/16/2025
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register
    The mission of this task force is focused around creating transparency and increasing knowledge regarding Mental Health Insurance credentialing, contracting, and billing. Currently the task force is working on the development of an Insurance Usage and Satisfaction Survey for practicing clinicians with questions intended to help us develop Rating Score Cards for Insurance Companies that will be accessible to the general clinical population; the development of a Navigating Insurance Company Credentialing, Contracting and Billing Resource List; and the development of a more active relationship with the Office of the Insurance Commission.
    Show details

  • Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee Meeting

    • 06/05/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The monthly meeting for the Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee.  Meetings are typically held the 1st Thursday of the month.

    Show details

  • Insurance Task Force Meeting

    • 06/20/2025
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register
    The mission of this task force is focused around creating transparency and increasing knowledge regarding Mental Health Insurance credentialing, contracting, and billing. Currently the task force is working on the development of an Insurance Usage and Satisfaction Survey for practicing clinicians with questions intended to help us develop Rating Score Cards for Insurance Companies that will be accessible to the general clinical population; the development of a Navigating Insurance Company Credentialing, Contracting and Billing Resource List; and the development of a more active relationship with the Office of the Insurance Commission.
    Show details

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