The American College Health Association (ACHA) is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of college students, staff, and the wider higher education community. A core part of this mission is our robust advocacy work on Capitol Hill, which is shaped by the needs and expertise of our members across the country and delivers tangible benefits in the form of legislation and programs that enable colleges to provide students with the resources and support they need to thrive.
Here is a summary of key federal legislative proposals ACHA has endorsed or actively supported in 2025:
Expanding Mental Health Care Access: The Continuation of Care Act
Mental health is a critical concern for college communities. That’s why ACHA worked with lawmakers to introduce the College Students Continuation of Mental Health Care Act of 2025 (HR 5357). This legislation is a direct result of ACHA members bringing this crucial issue forward, leading to engagement with Congress by the ACHA Advocacy Committee during the Annual Hill Day in January 2025. Read more about how ACHA helped draft this legislation.
What it does: This bill would authorize college mental health professionals to continue providing services to students across state lines via telehealth.
How it benefits your campus: It breaks down geographical barriers, ensuring students—especially those who travel out-of-state for breaks or live near a state border—maintain continuous access to their trusted college health provider, supporting their stability and well-being.
Read more about how ACHA helped draft this legislation.
Addressing Social Health: Measuring Loneliness and Isolation
ACHA endorsed Rep. Mike Flood’s (R-NE) Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act of 2025 (HR 1305), recognizing that social well-being is fundamental to overall health.
What it does: It directs the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a working group to recommend standardized measurements for loneliness and isolation.
How it benefits your campus: By standardizing measurements, colleges and universities can better assess and track these key determinants of student mental health. ACHA has specifically communicated that the bill must include provisions to address higher education communities, ensuring the data collected is relevant for developing campus-based interventions. This bill works in tandem with the Continuation of Mental Health Care Act to build a comprehensive approach to student mental health.
Ensuring a Safe and Inclusive Campus: Anti-Harassment Legislation
As an organization committed to a holistic approach to campus health, ACHA re-endorsed the reintroduction of the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act (HR 5486/S 2876), led by Rep. Mark Pocan (R-WI) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA).
What it does: It requires federally funded colleges to establish an anti-harassment policy that explicitly prohibits harassment based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. It also creates a grant program to help colleges and universities start or expand programs to prevent harassment and provide counseling services to victims.
How it benefits your campus: A safe, inclusive environment is a prerequisite for student well-being and academic success. This legislation offers both a mandate for a healthier climate and crucial resources (grant funding) to implement prevention and support services.
Tackling Basic Needs: Housing for Homeless Students
ACHA recently endorsed the soon-to-be-introduced Housing for Homeless Students Act, sponsored by Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL).
What it does: It would make unhoused youth (under age 26) and veterans pursuing full-time higher education eligible to live in properties supported by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which currently excludes them under existing interpretations.
How it benefits your campus: Ensuring students have access to basic needs—like stable housing—directly secures their physical health, mental well-being, and academic success. Addressing student housing insecurity reduces barriers to graduation and allows college health staff to focus on wellness rather than crisis management.
Be Part of the Solution
Your membership empowers ACHA to transform member input into federal action.
ACHA’s commitment to advocacy is unwavering. Your membership is the engine that drives this work. It provides the resources and the collective voice needed to influence federal policy, bringing about changes that directly benefit your students and professional efforts.
Do you have a legislative priority or a compelling story that highlights the need for change? We welcome your input. Please share your suggestions, questions, and concerns by emailing advocacy@acha.org. Let’s continue to lead the charge for healthier, more supportive college communities together!
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Advocacy Updates, Articles
