South Dakota Mental Health Counseling Association

07/09/2025

05/01/2025

SDMHCA Pre-conference: Tanja Mundt, MA, LPC-S
Eating Disorders 101

04/23/2025

https://www.counseling.org/CAM

03/03/2025

Immediate Action Needed

March 2, 2025

SDCA Members:
Please forward this information to all the mental health providers you know!

These South Dakota bills will be up for vote in our Senate on Monday, March 3:
1) Support Medicaid – there is a “trigger” bill coming up – House Joint Resolution 5001
If Congress cuts Medicaid, this bill would end “Medicaid Expansion” in South Dakota.
The Medicaid Expansion covers those ages 18-65 who earn less than 135% of the federal poverty level (135% = $1760/month, or $419/week).
Healthcare.gov (Affordable Care Act) plans do not cover those persons who are covered under Medicaid Expansion.
This bill would cut off healthcare for the ~32,000 South Dakotans whose healthcare is covered through “Medicaid Expansion.”

These are our clients, so not only does this “trigger law” affect them, it also affects our payments for serving them.

And, remember, we cannot “abandon” clients, so this means we will be required to continue working with these clients, unpaid, or find others who will work with them, unpaid.

2) Once again, another “bathroom bill” – HB 1259 – is being considered on Monday
This bill will be in the Senate on Monday.
This discriminatory bill will have unintended financial impact:

If passed, this bill will go to court, so South Dakota will have to cover the expenses related to lengthy litigation.

If passed, and children/youth are attacked, the expense of lawsuits from parents will have to be covered. Will those be covered by the State or by school districts?

PLEASE contact your State Senators TODAY about these bills.

And, remember . . .

Federal healthcare insurance programs (Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, Medicaid Expansion,
and Avera & Sanford’s Affordable Care Act plans) are facing imminent, drastic cuts under the current administration. And, as you know, commercial insurers usually follow federal decisions re: health insurance coverage. So, even if you don’t see clients with Medicare or Medicaid or Avera & Sanford’s ACA coverage, this matters to you and your clients.

Federal Senate and House votes are expected this month.

The cuts being considered right now include coverage for telehealth (which ends in March 2025).

Contact Senator Thune, Senator Johnson, and Representative now.

Also, Senator Thune, Senator Johnson, and Representative Johnson will be back in South Dakota on “recess” from March 13th to 25th. Do reach out to them while they are here.

Thanks for all you are doing, everyday, for the people of South Dakota!

Anne Dilenschneider, PhD, LPC-MH
SDCA Government Relations Committee Chair

03/01/2025

03/01/2025

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed a budget resolution that marks the beginning of efforts to reshape the Medicaid program, which could be devastating to mental healthcare access. Please contact your Congressional representatives today and ask them to protect Medicaid!

More info: https://bit.ly/41jkbxE

02/24/2025

Immediate Action Needed
February 23, 2025

SDCA Members:

Federal healthcare insurance programs (Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Avera & Sanford’s Affordable Care Act plans) are facing imminent, drastic cuts under the current administration. And, as you know, commercial insurers usually follow federal decisions re: health insurance coverage. So, even if you don’t see clients with Medicare or Medicaid or Avera & Sanford’s ACA coverage, this matters to you and your clients.

House and Senate votes are expected in March, but may happen earlier. The cuts being considered right now include coverage for telehealth (which ends in March 2025). Medicaid cuts would not only affect disabled persons, but seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities as well (Medicaid, not Medicare, covers those).

The proposed cuts being discussed could also:
• Eliminate essential mental health services for millions.
• Force practice closures in areas with limited access to care.
• Create impossible choices for patients between treatment and other necessities.
• Lead to a return to institutionalization for many patients

This matters in South Dakota:
• More than 198,000 South Dakotans are on Medicare
• More than 163,000 South Dakotans are on Medicaid
• More than 48,000 South Dakotans are on Avera & Sanford’s Affordable Care Act plans.

Hundreds of thousands of South Dakotans who rely on these programs for their mental health services could lose access to essential care. The loss of telehealth alone would be devastating in South Dakota. Here, telehealth is essential due to distance and weather. It allows people to receive mental health care no matter where they are – in their home, tractor, nursing home, or hospital. Research shows telehealth has led to much better results for South Dakotans who are struggling with addiction/substance abuse and those released from incarceration.

Potential Impacts (as noted by NBCC – the National Board for Certified Counselors) For Counselors this means:
1. Reduced reimbursement rates
2. Increased administrative burdens
3. Challenges in sustaining mental health practices
4. Potential closure of mental health practices (due to 1-3)
5. And the loss of professional counselors in vulnerable communities

For Clients this means:
1. Loss of access to essential mental health care
2. Disruption of ongoing treatment
3. Increased out-of-pocket costs
4. Longer wait times for services
5. Reduced treatment options

Take Action Now – As Soon As You Can

The NBCC has been meeting with members of Congress.

We need to step up, too:
1. Contact Senator Thune, Senator Rounds, and Representative Johnson immediately
2. Ask them to OPPOSE federal insurance program reductions
3. Share how these cuts would affect your practice and your clients in South Dakota
4. Emphasize the importance of mental health access for all populations

An easy way to contact our federal legislators is through the “Compose Your Message” section on
the right side of the NBCC website:
https://www.votervoice.net/NBCCGrassroots/Campaigns/122048/Respond

Thanks for all you are doing, every day, for the people of South Dakota!

Anne Dilenschneider, PhD, LPC-MH
SDCA Government Relations Committee Chair

Immediate Action Needed Contact your congressional representatives to oppose onerous cuts to federal health insurance programs. Millions of Americans who rely on these programs for their mental health services could lose access to...

09/17/2024

Su***de Awareness Month: Resources to Help Kids Thrive

08/07/2024

This looks to be a great event!! SDCA has stipends available to attend! Please reach out if you would like to apply!