APA Federal Advocacy and Policy Update

Week of Dec 1, 2025

Federal Advocacy & Policy Update: Key Highlights From APA Services

Congress continues to negotiate Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations, with Republican chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees announcing agreement on a framework for five of twelve federal funding bills. Notably, these do not include the largest and most politically sensitive areas—Labor-HHS, Defense, and other major health programs. 

Lawmakers remain concerned about the fast-approaching January 30, 2026 deadline, when current stopgap funding expires. Democratic votes will be required to advance any final package, and negotiations remain tense as Congress continues to grapple with disagreements tied to expiring health insurance subsidies, the issue that triggered the last shutdown.

APA Services will soon share opportunities for psychologists to engage in federal advocacy as the process unfolds, stay tuned to e-news and email for opportunities to engage in this! 

Medicare & Telehealth Guidance Update

On November 14, 2025, CMS released updated guidance clarifying the status of Medicare telehealth claims, incorporating new provisions from Congress’ reinstatement of certain telehealth flexibilities following the government shutdown, as well as policies in the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule.  Psychologists are encouraged to review the latest Practice Update newsletter for details (free subscription available) and can read the article with more details here. 

APA Federal Policy Update

Week of January 12, 2026

Administration Updates

Last week, the administration abruptly cut nearly $2 billion in SAMHSA grants supporting mental health and substance use services, including APA priority programs such as the Minority Fellowship Program. Following strong bipartisan pressure from Congress and coordinated advocacy by APA Services and the broader mental health community, the administration reversed the decision within 24 hours and reinstated the funding. While the reversal is welcome, the episode highlights continued uncertainty and instability in funding for programs serving vulnerable populations and reinforces the need for sustained advocacy.

Hill and Budget Updates

Congressional appropriators are working toward a bipartisan House/Senate agreement on the remaining four FY2026 spending bills, including Labor/HHS/Education, which funds many programs critical to psychology. Separately, the Senate passed several funding measures already approved by the House that protect funding for departments such as Energy, Commerce, Interior, Justice, and federal science initiatives. These measures preserve support for indirect research costs, which are essential for maintaining the nation’s research infrastructure and have been a key focus of APA Services advocacy. With a potential government shutdown looming on January 30, APA Services is encouraging continued outreach to lawmakers and will be circulating an action alert on this issue early next week.

APA Policy Updates

APA submitted formal comments to the National Science Foundation in response to its draft FY2026–2030 Strategic Plan, urging continued support for social, behavioral, and economic sciences; integration of psychological science into technology and innovation initiatives; protection of scientific integrity; and stable research funding in light of recent grant disruptions and proposed cuts. In addition, the DEA finalized a fourth extension of teleprescribing flexibilities through December 31, 2026, allowing practitioners to continue prescribing controlled substances via telehealth without an initial in-person medical evaluation. APA Services continues to work with the administration toward a long-term solution that balances safeguards against diversion with maintaining access to mental and behavioral health services.

Federal Policy Update

Week of January 8, 2026

As the federal policy landscape evolves in 2026, APA and APA Services have resumed weekly updates and continue to share timely resources through the APA Response Center. Recent congressional activity includes House passage of three targeted government funding bills that would fund several federal agencies, including Energy, Commerce, Interior, Justice, and federal science programs, through the end of the fiscal year ahead of a January 30 funding deadline. Importantly for psychology, these bills preserve funding for research programs and indirect research costs and largely reject proposed White House cuts. While Senate passage is uncertain, APA Services continues to advocate for strong and stable funding for programs essential to psychology.

The House also voted to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years with bipartisan support, though the bill is unlikely to advance in the Senate. APA Services has previously mobilized psychologists around ACA subsidies and telehealth flexibilities and will continue advocacy efforts focused on access to care.

In additional policy activity, APA Services submitted formal comments opposing proposed Department of Homeland Security changes to the public charge rule, citing concerns about reduced access to public benefits and negative mental health impacts on immigrant communities. APA advocacy staff also engaged with Senate leadership on protecting animal research and participated in CES 2026 to promote the ethical, evidence-based integration of behavioral science into digital health and artificial intelligence, emphasizing that these tools should support, not replace, the psychology workforce.

CPA will continue to share weekly summaries of federal policy updates from APA. Members who would like more detailed information are encouraged to subscribe to APA’s free Practice Update and Washington Update newsletters.

Federal Hill & Policy Update

Week of February 2

Medicare Telehealth Extension Signed into Law

Congress passed (and President Trump signed) a spending package funding the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through September 2026. Importantly, the bill extends current Medicare telehealth flexibilities, including the delay of the in-person visit requirement, through December 31, 2027. This represents a major win for psychologists and other clinicians using telehealth, providing stability while Congress works toward a permanent Medicare telehealth solution.

APA Advocacy on AI and the Workforce

APA advocacy staff shared psychological research with the House Committee on Education & the Workforce ahead of its “Building an AI-Ready America” hearing. APA emphasized worker wellbeing, risks associated with algorithmic management, and the importance of social-emotional skills in an AI-driven economy ensuring psychological science remains central to federal discussions on AI and mental health in the workplace.

NIH Modernization and Research Workforce Concerns

APA Science Advocacy staff attended a Senate HELP Committee hearing on NIH modernization. Key concerns raised by Senators included:

• Disruptions to grant review processes due to canceled advisory meetings

• Politicization of scientific grantmaking

• Growing instability in the biomedical and behavioral research workforce

• Ongoing uncertainty around indirect cost reimbursement

• U.S. competitiveness as China surpasses the U.S. in high-quality research output Several Senators also highlighted concerns about the impact of reduced emphasis on diversity and the ongoing neglect of women’s health research.

Increased Federal Support for Native American Mental Health

President Trump also signed the FY 2026 appropriations bill covering Interior, Environment, and related agencies. These funding increases reflect sustained APA advocacy to improve access to mental and behavioral health care for American Indian and Alaska Native populations. The legislation includes:

• A $3 million increase for Native American mental health programs

• A $4 million increase for INPSYCH, supporting the behavioral health workforce in Indian communities