Call to Action from the American Psychological Association
Speak Out Against Proposed Cuts Threatening Neuropsychological Services and Workforce Development
Congress has approved a 10-year budget framework that includes $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. These reductions would result in sweeping changes to Medicaid and higher education, putting hundreds of billions of dollars at risk. If enacted, these cuts would significantly undermine access to neuropsychological and behavioral health services, while also jeopardizing the education and training pipeline essential to developing the neuropsychology workforce.
It is vital that Congress protect both the healthcare safety net — which ensures access to care for more than 80 million Americans — and the advanced training infrastructure that prepares current and future neuropsychologists. Medicaid remains the nation’s single largest payer of mental and behavioral health services, including neuropsychological evaluations and cognitive rehabilitation. It funds approximately half of all behavioral health care across the country. With growing demand for neuropsychological services and a critical shortage of specialists, now is not the time to stall progress. Neuropsychologists’ voices are urgently needed to ensure continued care for vulnerable populations.
The proposed cuts would:
- Jeopardize access to neuropsychological services covered by Medicaid. Many low-income individuals — including children with developmental disorders, adults with traumatic brain injuries, stroke survivors, individuals with dementia, and patients with serious mental illness — rely on Medicaid for diagnostic assessments, cognitive rehabilitation, and continuity of care. Without federal funding, states would be forced to reduce reimbursement rates, restrict access, or eliminate vital services altogether.
- Constrain pathways into the neuropsychology field. Changes to federal student loan programs would make doctoral education even less affordable, worsening workforce shortages in neuropsychology, especially in underserved and rural areas where services are already limited.
Recommendation:
Now is the time to act. Contact your Senators and Representatives and urge them to oppose any legislation that cuts Medicaid or restricts access to graduate education in psychology and neuropsychology. These cuts would have lasting consequences for patient care, clinical research, and workforce development. Stay alert for further updates and advocacy actions.
This Action Alert is based on efforts from the American Psychological Association and sent by the Legislative Action & Advocacy Committee (LAAC) through NAN. The LAAC provides periodic updates to inform members about recent advocacy efforts and to request input from members about their advocacy needs. To contact the LAAC, please email us at [email protected].