CPA Federal Advocacy Update

Week of March 2

Advocacy Opportunities

  • Town Hall – March 24 (7 PM ET): APA’s Division 31 will host a town hall titled “State Advocacy Trends: Advocating for Increased Commercial Reimbursement and Trainee Reimbursement.” APA advocacy leaders Stephen Gillaspy, PhD, and Alix Ginsberg, MPH will discuss how federal policy developments are influencing state legislation and advocacy strategies related to reimbursement and workforce issues.
  • Action Alert Reminder: APA’s advocacy action alert following February’s Hill Day remains active as the FY2027 federal appropriations process moves forward. Members are encouraged to participate and share the alert with their networks.
  • APA Response Center: APA Services continues to update its 2026 policy response center, which now includes resources on over 15 emerging policy issues, including immigration and mental health. Members are encouraged to bookmark the page for updates and advocacy resources.

Psychological Research, Infrastructure & Technology Policy

  • APA advocacy staff conducted outreach to members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee ahead of markup of the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (H.R. 7577). APA urged lawmakers to ensure youth online safety protections are grounded in psychological science and address the emerging risks of generative AI.
  • APA specifically recommended including a “duty of care” standard requiring online platforms to proactively mitigate harms to youth mental health, including risks related to disordered eating, self-harm, and other behavioral health impacts.

Youth Mental Health Research Funding

APA is working with Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) on FY2027 appropriations report language supporting youth mental health research aligned with the Youth Mental Health Research Act (H.R. 2587 / S.1266). The proposal highlights CDC data showing rising adolescent depression, supports the NIMH strategic framework to address youth mental health by 2031, Emphasizes research focused on underserved and rural populations, Directs NIH to develop evidence-based tools and interventions, Requires NIH to report progress to Congress within 180 days of enactment.

Education Policy: Federal Student Loan Limits

APA submitted comments supporting the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed definition of “professional degrees.” The proposed rule would: Recognize clinical psychology and health service psychology programs as professional degrees, Allow students in these programs to qualify for higher federal loan borrowing limits for graduate education. A final rule is expected in the coming months.

Rural Mental Health & Farm Bill

The House Agriculture Committee marked up the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567). The bill includes provisions relevant to behavioral health in rural communities, including: Reauthorization of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, Funding for telehealth and distance learning programs, A set-aside in USDA community development funding for mental, behavioral, and maternal health services. APA Services continues working with rural psychologists to advocate for amendments that would expand access to behavioral health care in rural communities.