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 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

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.

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.