NYS GOV ACTION 2022
May 27, 2019
A1171A passed the Senate and Assembly!! New Yorkers need to act fast to ensure that Governor Kathy Hochul signs the bill into law in its current form.
This NYS legislation requires private insurance companies to cover services by LCATs —a huge step forward in achieving parity between art therapists and other mental health professions in the state.
Now, the bill goes to the governor of New York for her signature. The last time this was passed in 2019 (A670A), it was vetoed by Governor Cuomo. As you may be aware, the governor recently excluded art therapists specifically from a similar bill, S7761, which expanded Medicaid coverage to include licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists.
ACT NOW! Contact Governor Kathy Hochul and urge her to sign A1171A into law in its current form! Now more than ever, all New Yorkers need access to mental health services, including art therapy.
There is a limited time to convince the Governor.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NOW:
Use the template message below, or share your own story about why Governor Hochul must sign A1171A to support mental health care.
Online:
By phone:
1-518-474-8390
Through the mail:
The Honorable Kathy Hochul
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Sample message for a letter or phone conversation:
Governor Hochul,
I am a Licensed Creative Art Therapist (LCAT) in __[YOUR CITY]_____, NY, and provide essential mental healthcare to many New Yorkers. I am writing to express my support for A1171A in its current form, which requires private insurance companies to cover mental health services, including art therapy. From the increase in mental health issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, to the racial trauma so many are experiencing, and the seemingly unending waves of violence in New York and the rest of the nation, now is the time to expand access to affordable mental health care. Art therapists are credentialed mental health clinicians with Master’s level (or higher) degrees trained in art and therapy that serve diverse communities. Art therapy is particularly effective during times of crisis, especially in coping with isolation, changes in circumstance, trauma, and grief—and with people struggling to benefit from talk therapy interventions.
Please sign A1171A in its current form today and allow New Yorkers to have access to mental health services, especially as we face a mental health crisis in our state and across the country!
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME AND CREDENTIALS]
HOME ADDRESS
EMAIL ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER