Co-Sponsors Needed for HB 2607: Prescription Privileges for Psychologists

Representative Wendi Thomas just introduced HB 2607, the Prescription Privileges for Psychologists Bill. Please contact your State Representative and ask them to co-sponsor HB 2607.

In Pennsylvania, there is a growing national mental health crisis and a shortage of psychiatric specialists to meet the demand. Most psychotropics are currently prescribed by primary healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants; however, these professionals often have limited training in mental health treatment.

Prescribing psychologists can increase patient access to psychotropic medications, reduce long travel and wait times that countless patients currently must deal with, and ensure better follow-up care for patients already on psychotropic medications. Prescribing psychologists can manage medication treatment for most mental health disorders. Importantly, they must earn an additional post-doctoral masters degree emphasizing psychopharmacology and the biological basis of behavior, pass a rigorous national exam, and receive supervision in practice.

Currently, five states have prescription authority for psychologists: Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, New Mexico, and Louisiana. Also, prescribing psychologists have safely and effectively prescribed psychopharmacologic medications in the Public Health Service, Indian Health Service, and the US Military for more than 20 years.

The bill will define the educational requirements for a prescribing psychologist, the scope of practice of a prescribing psychologist, describe a collaborative agreement between the prescribing psychologist and provider, and identify the formulary for the medications that may be prescribed and the continuing education requirements for prescribing psychologists.

Click here ask your Representative to contact Representative Thomas’ office to be added as a co-sponsor to HB 2607.