WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Social Workers Political Action for Candidate Election (NASW-PACE) has voted unanimously to endorse President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for a second term in office, citing the substantial progress their Administration has made in expanding access to mental health services and providing student loan debt relief.
On Wednesday, Biden-Harris 2024 campaign co-chair Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) accepted the NASW-PACE endorsement on behalf of the campaign. In his acceptance, Senator Coons highlighted President Biden and Vice President Harris’ commitment to delivering mental health care and resources for patients and social workers alike and underscored the risk Donald Trump poses to Americans if he's elected.
Social workers are the largest group of mental health services providers in the United States and many social workers incur substantial student loan debt to attain necessary education and training.
“Social workers are on the frontlines in addressing our nation’s mental health needs and President Biden has made mental health care a high priority,” said NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C. “We are confident that during a second term he will continue to make gains in helping our nation address its mental health and substance use epidemic.”
The Biden-Harris Administration fought for and delivered key investments in mental health during his first term, through his Unity Agenda, including signing the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law in March 2021. ARPA expanded access to mental health services and substance use disorder treatment by allocating funding for community mental health centers, crisis intervention services, and telehealth resources, particularly in underserved areas.
The Biden-Harris Administration strengthened Medicaid and Medicare, which has improved access to affordable quality health and mental health coverage.
“Social workers follow a Code of Ethics that calls on them to enhance human well-being and meet the basic needs of all people, especially the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed or living in poverty,” said Kelli Soyer, LMSW, co-chair of NASW PACE. “We think Biden is the candidate that best exemplifies social work ethics.”
The Biden-Harris Administration has also led in historic student loan debt relief efforts, which have greatly assisted the mental health workforce and other public service professionals. The administration has approved $167 billion in student loan debt relief, in addition to strengthening and improving the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
NASW is also pleased by judicial appointments made by President Biden, including the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court.
NASW-PACE also said that returning to the policies of the Trump Administration would reverse recent gains on mental health care and other social policies.
“After reviewing the administration's achievements, we at NASW proudly support President Biden for a second term. He has diversified the judiciary and appointed judges that share an interpretation of the law that allows the federal government to work on behalf of the American people on health care, voting rights, and civil liberties,” said NASW-PACE Co-Chair Brian Romero, MSW.
NASW comprises 55 chapters nationwide, and its members live in every congressional district across the country. NASW is committed to mobilizing our members, our relationships, and the social work profession to ensure there are record levels of investment in mental health care, and combatting climate change, and innovative solutions to tackling student debt remain top priorities. Additionally, NASW is committed to holding this administration accountable for the promises made to the American people.
“We call on our members and all social workers to help get out the vote and re-elect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris,” Estreet said.