AMTA Government Relations Update 6-14-25

Summary of Recent Government Relations Activities

AMTA Government Relations continues to monitor and respond to a variety of issues related to federal and state policy, legislation, and regulations. As we navigate the current political climate, it can seem overwhelming to identify when and how to effectively engage in the multitude of advocacy opportunities. We recommend selecting one topic per week that impacts music therapy practice and/or consumers and participating in associated calls-to-action.  Every phone call and email sent to your federal and state legislators is counted and makes a difference for your communities.

1. We begin this update with a positive development involving access to music therapy services in special education.

On June 9th, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), alongside Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10), and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), issued a press release announcing the introduction of the Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education Act, HB 3852. AMTA contributed to language for this legislation, providing clarification about the distinct professions that are included in creative arts therapies programs. This information was not in the original bill of the last session. The release listed AMTA as an endorsing organization and also included a support quote from the association.

2. Sound Health Network

On May 30th, the Sound Health Network initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) was officially ended. In an official announcement, the following information was shared:

“In March 2025, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was informed by the National Institutes of Health that it was terminating the partnership on the Sound Health initiative. Effective May 31, 2025, the NEA terminated the Sound Health Network (SHN) cooperative agreement with the University of California San Francisco.”

3. Congressional and Agency Communication

A significant amount of advocacy in recent weeks has centered around messages to Congress and federal agencies by coalitions involved in healthcare, special education, and disability rights. AMTA’s active membership in several Washington, D.C.-based coalitions allows the opportunity to join with other national organizations in letters expressing concerns and requesting support for or opposition to current legislation and policy decisions impacting access to quality care for all Americans. The following list provides a sampling of recent communication. Links are provided to the home page for each organization, where the list of letters is located. If the letter(s) are not on the home page, we have provided a direct link.

• Modern Medicaid Alliance

  • More Than 190 Health Care Organizations Urge Senate Leadership to Oppose Unprecedented Coverage Loss, Limits on Care from Proposed Medicaid Cuts

• Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD)
  • Long Term Services and Supports Task Force
    • Senate Letter from 1100 Organizations on Medicaid and FY25 Reconciliation Bill 
  • Education Task Force
    • Letter to Congress to Support Children with Disabilities: Reject H.R. 1 
    • Letter to Congress on Education Appropriations FY26
  • Aging Disability-Health Task Force
    • Aging Disability Sign-on for Reconciliation House Floor Vote​​
• ​​​​Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC)
  • National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Federal Funding for FY 2026 Letter
  • Letter to HHS Secretary Kennedy Regarding Announced Breakup of ACL
  • Letter to NIH on Disability Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research FY26-FY30
• Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation 
  • Letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in Response to the Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2026 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System (“IRF PPS”) Proposed Rule.

4. Calls-to-Action

Engage in advocacy by taking 5 minutes to contact your federal legislators about current healthcare and special education policy and legislation.  Below are active calls-to-action that provide guidance on sharing your opinions and requests with decision makers.  Legislators and agency officials need to hear from YOU!

• Disabilities Rights Education Defense Fund---Section 504 Rules Response Deadline June 16th! 
• Families USA 
• CASE Action Center 
• National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities 

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