Ohio Counseling Conversations

Couch to Capitol: November Legislative Updates

• Ohio Counseling Association

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Policy isn’t background noise—it’s showing up in our sessions as missed appointments, longer waitlists, and clients afraid to speak. We take you inside the real-world consequences of Ohio’s latest bills and federal shifts, translating headlines into the clinical realities counselors and clients face every day.

We start with the federal shutdown’s lingering impact on Medicaid processing, VA mental health services, and grant-funded programs. Then we break down HB 162, the My Child My Chart Act, and why expanded parental access to minors’ records can chill disclosures, complicate safety planning, and reduce engagement among teens—especially LGBTQ youth. We examine HB 324’s restrictions on mifepristone and related medications, connecting the dots between reproductive care limits, grief and trauma responses, and eroding trust in healthcare, with disproportionate effects on rural communities, low-income families, people of color, and LGBTQ clients.

We also address the revived drag performance ban under HB 249 and its broad implications for LGBTQ safety, inclusive school and community events, and the rise of minority stress and political trauma. Finally, we spotlight a looming federal change that could reshape the counseling workforce: proposed student loan caps of $20,500 per year for non-doctoral graduate programs. With most accredited counseling programs costing more, students face high-interest private debt, delayed completion, or exit—shrinking the pipeline just as demand for mental health care climbs.

Throughout, we share practical ways to respond: trauma-informed strategies that acknowledge political context, confidentiality practices that protect youth while honoring family roles, and concrete advocacy moves that connect ethics with policy. If you’re a counselor, student, or ally who cares about access, autonomy, and equity in mental health, this conversation gives you the tools and language to act.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a review with one action you’ll take this week to advocate for mental health access in Ohio.

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Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee

·Hosted by Marisa Cargill

·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill, Victoria Frazier, Mariah Payne, and Leah Wood

·Editing by Marisa Cargill


SPEAKER_00:

Welcome to Ohio Counseling Conversations Couch to Capital, your quick connection from the counseling office to where laws meet lives. In this segment, we break down the latest legislative and judicial updates, policy changes, and advocacy efforts that impact counselors across Ohio. Whether you're licensed, in training, or just passionate about the field of counseling, we've got what you need to stay informed and empowered. Welcome back to Couch to Capital, where we break down the policy changes shaping the work of counselors across Ohio and beyond. I'm Dr. Marissa Cargill, and today we're covering significant updates affecting our profession, our clients, and our communities. We're going to look at the end of the federal government shutdown and its impact on mental health services, some Ohio house bills, and federal student loan caps that could drastically limit access to counseling programs. Let's dive in. The federal government shutdown has officially ended, but the aftershocks are still being felt. ACA reports that while federal agencies are reopening, many systems, Medicaid processing, VA mental health services, public health data systems, and grant-funded programs are facing delays or backlogs after weeks of limited staffing. Why does this matter for us as counselors? While delays in federal reimbursements or provider credentialing may disrupt agency finances, VA, DOD, and TRICARE connected clients may see appointment delays. Community agencies dependent on federal grants may face slower operations, and clients reliant on federally funded programs or supports may experience heightened anxiety, financial strain, or service gaps. Government shutdowns aren't just political events, they create real instability that shows up in our therapy rooms. While federal policies shape the landscape we practice, Ohio lawmakers are also moving quickly on issues that directly affect the clients we serve. One of the biggest state-level updates this month is House Bill 162, the My Child My Chart Act. House Bill 162, known as the My Child My Chart Act, passed the Ohio House and focuses on parental access to minors' medical records. Supporters frame this as expanding parental rights, while opponents, including many healthcare providers, raise concerns about youth confidentiality, safety for LGBTQ youth, access to sensitive care such as behavioral health services, and potential chilling effects on adolescents seeking help. Again, why does this matter for counselors? Adolescents often seek mental health support precisely because they need a confidential space. Mandatory parental access may deter youth from sharing concerns about safety, identity, substance use, or mental health. Counselors may face increased ethical dilemmas and safety planning complications. School-based and community clinicians may see reduced engagement from teens who fear parental retaliation or disclosure. Protecting youth autonomy and safety is core to our work. Legislation that reduces confidentiality can create significant barriers to treatment. As conversations about youth privacy unfold, the legislator is simultaneously advancing other bills that impact healthcare access more broadly. Another major development this month is House Bill 324, which focuses on mifepristone and other reproductive healthcare medications. House Bill 324 passed the Ohio House along party lines. This bill aims to limit access to miphopristone, the most commonly used medication for medication abortion. It also risks restricting or complicating access to other medications related to reproductive health care, miscarriage management, certain cancers, and chronic conditions. This bill is rooted in political ideology, not evidence-based medicine. It also directly contradicts the will of Ohio voters, who in 2023 codified reproductive rights in our state constitution. Why does this matter for counselors? I'm glad you asked. Clients dealing with pregnancy, fertility struggles, IPV, grief, or trauma will face increased obstacles and stress. Restrictions disproportionately harm marginalized communities, including low-income individuals, rural residents, LGBTQ communities, and people of color. Clients may experience heightened anxiety, fear, shame, and political trauma when accessing or even discussing reproductive care as a result of House Bill 324. Additionally, healthcare mistrust grows when medical decisions are driven by politics instead of science. Counselors supporting clients through pregnancy loss, crisis pregnancies, reproductive decision making, or medical trauma will see increased distress within our clients. Reproductive justice is mental health justice. Legislation like House Bill 324 compounds trauma and undermines client autonomy. Reproductive health isn't the only area facing politically driven restrictions. Lawmakers have also revived a bill that directly targets LGBTQ communities, and it's important for counselors to understand its implications. House Bill 249 has been revived and it is a drag performance ban. The ACLU warns that this bill is broad, vague, and targets LGBTQ plus communities under the guise of protecting minors. There is no evidence that drag harms children, yet there is plenty of evidence that discriminatory legislation increases mental health distress, harassment, and violence towards LGBTQ individuals. Why does this matter for ASIS counselors? Well, LGBTQ clients already experience disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality. And bills like House Bill 249 add systemic stress, fear, and political trauma. Schools, nonprofits, and community programs may feel pressure to censor inclusive events or performers. Affirming spaces may become more limited, impacting the youth that rely on them. And counselors, we must be equipped to validate and contextualize these harms. Our ethical codes call us to oppose discrimination and support client well-being. Legislation like House Bill 249 directly undermines that mission. And as we look at laws affecting our clients, there's also a major federal proposal that could drastically reshape the future of our profession. Specifically, who can afford to enter it? Let's talk about the new federal student loan caps. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, starting July 1st, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education may cap federal student loans for non-doctorate graduate programs at$20,500 per year. Because counseling master's programs are classified as graduate programs, not professional programs like medicine or law, counseling students will be subject to these lower caps. Why this matters for counselors and the profession? Well, most K-Crepeline programs cost more than$20,500 per year. Students will be pushed towards private loans with higher interest rates. Many may take longer to complete their degrees or drop out completely. And this threatens the future workforce at a time when demand for mental health care is higher than ever. Rural and underserved areas already lacking clinicians will likely be hit the hardest. Why does this matter for clients and communities? Fewer students equals fewer counselors, which means longer wait lists, less access, and unfortunately, worsening outcomes. This proposal could undo years of progress in improving access to mental health care. All of these updates underscore how closely mental health access is tied to policy decisions at the federal level, at the state level, and within every community where counselors practice. So let's talk about what you can do next. Stay informed through OCA updates and ACA alerts. Contact your legislators, especially if you oppose any of the House bills mentioned today. Your voice as a counselor carries weight. Support your clients, especially youth, LGBTQ clients, survivors of trauma, and anyone affected by reproductive health restrictions. Participate in advocacy. Even small actions matter. And vote and help clients access nonpartisan voter information. Thank you for tuning into this month's Couch to Capital. Your work, your voice, and your advocacy matter. Together, we protect our profession and promote the mental health of all Ohioans. We'll see you next month. That's it for this edition of Couch to Capital, brought to you by the Ohio Counseling Association and Ohio Counseling Conversations. In the meantime, stay tuned, stay engaged, and keep advocating for the future of counseling in Ohio. Because what happens at the Capitol doesn't stay at the Capitol. It impacts every counseling conversation.