OUR PROPOSAL
Program Benefits - Key Points
- RELIEVING STRESS ON A SYSTEM PAST THE POINT OF CRISIS
- EXPANDING CARE QUALITY BY ADDING PSYCHOLOGISTS AS FULL TEAM MEMBERS
- IMPROVING FOLLOW-UP CARE, ESPECIALLY IN SMALL TOWNS
- REQUIRING TOUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING STANDARDS
- FULLY IMPLEMENTING OUR LEGISLATURE’S VISION: MENTAL HEALTH CARE PARITY
Legislative summary:
The RxP legislation proposed in 2007 would have authorized certain “Licensed, doctoral-level psychologists” to prescribe drugs used in the treatment of mental and nervous disorders. In addition, House Bill 2800 would have required the State Board of Psychologist Examiners to adopt standards for Prescribing Medical Psychologists who wish to have prescription writing authority.
Although the bill didn’t pass, the proposed legislation was refined to better define how psychologists and other healthcare providers would collaborate. And, provisions for further graduate level education, training and residency supervision were improved.
“The proposal was more of an idea when we started, but more of a practical bill when we ended in May 2007,” says Hood River psychologist Lynnea Lindsey, PhD.
The Oregon Psychological Association (OPA) anticipates new legislation will be introduced for the 2009 session of the Oregon legislature, says OPA's former president, Robin Henderson, PhD, of Bend. Draft legislation will be prepared later this year.
2007 bill summary
HB 2800 focused on issues such as:
Eligibility
Licensed, doctoral-level psychologists would be eligible if they have undergone specialized training and have passed an examination accepted by the Oregon Board of Psychologists Examiners. The draft bill sets high standards. Specifically, psychologists requesting prescription authority must meet the following requirements:
1. Graduation with an approved post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology from an institution accredited by a regional body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the equivalent;
2. Completion of an extensive amount of supervised clinical experience of direct patient care with the supervision of a licensed physician or licensed nurse practitioner knowledgeable in the administration of psychotropic medication; and
3. Passing a national certification exam in psychopharmacology as specified by the Board of Psychologists Examiners. (The American Psychological Association has developed model education and certification programs for RxP. These models have been implemented by Louisiana and New Mexico.)
(An equivalent to the post-doctoral master’s degree is defined as the successful completion of the Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project (DOD-PDP), or similar program developed and operated under any branch of the United States armed services.)
Prescriptions defined
“Drugs" under this proposal are the same as those defined by Oregon’s "Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act,” in this case, certain controlled substances, except narcotics, related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders. Psychiatrists, primary care physicians and certain nurse practitioners commonly prescribe these drugs.
The prescriptions shall be either pre-packaged by a manufacturer registered with the State Board of Pharmacy, or re-packaged by a pharmacist licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy. Labeling requirements for drugs dispensed by Prescribing Medical Psychologists are the same as labeling requirements required of pharmacies licensed under state law.
Enforcement
Along with the power to determine qualifications of applicants to practice psychology in this state, the Oregon State Board of Psychologist Examiners would have sole disciplinary authority regarding Prescribing Medical Psychologists. The board also will have the power to revoke prescription-writing privileges.
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