IL and NJ CSWH Advocates Take to the Hill

In May, the Coalition for Social Work and Health (CSWH) hosted a successful New Jersey-focused Hill Day with advocates Stephanie DiPiano, Lauren Parks, and Katy Matarese. Together, we met with staff from Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Representative Herb Conaway (D-NJ-3rd District), Representative Nellie Pou (D-NJ-9th District), Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6th District), and Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-2nd District).

During these meetings, we highlighted the essential role of social workers in healthcare delivery and discussed the need for congressional support of the Integrating Social Workers Across Health Care Settings Act in the 119th Congress (the bill was previously introduced into the 118th Congress under the same name, as H.R.4638). We urged members to consider cosponsorship of the bill, which would allow clinical social workers to practice and bill Medicare in accordance with their full state scope of practice.

The meetings were incredibly productive, and we’re grateful to our New Jersey partners for their leadership and dedication to advancing this critical legislation.

In addition, CSWH convened an Illinois-focused “mini” Hill Day with CHaSCI Director of Policy & Partnerships Robyn Golden, where we met with staff from Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-2nd District) and Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9th District). These conversations further underscored the importance of ensuring that social workers are fully integrated into healthcare teams and appropriately recognized within Medicare.