Why Expand Prescriptive Authority

If enacted by the Oregon Legislature, RxP will grant psychologists prescription-writing authority, expanding access to mental health care services. Those psychologists who wish to become RxP-certified will expand provider opportunities and help Oregonians control the cost of care.

How will RxP improve the mental health care system?

More collaboration: RxP will encourage collaborative, collegial treatment plans among all health-care providers, resulting in better outcomes for the patient. Currently, many primary care physicians turn to psychologists for knowledge about psychotropic medication and psychotherapy solutions.

Reduced burden: Treatment by a single mental health provider — in consultation with a medical provider — will reduce the burden on patients who already are struggling. They will not need to visit two or more providers.

More medication monitoring: Patients will have their medication monitored frequently, which will allow for any problems to be noticed earlier. Psychologists typically see patients once or twice a week, which means they can discover side effects sooner.

Faster adjustments: The power to prescribe also is the power to recommend adjustments, which may be as simple as changing the time of day a patient takes a pill. Currently, a psychologist is not allowed even to tell a patient to take medication in the morning instead of before bedtime. And sometimes, helpful changes are that simple. In other situations, psychologists with prescriptive authority may choose NOT to recommend a particular medication first prescribed by a medical professional with less mental heath experience and training.

More time for evaluations: Psychologists spend more time with each patient. They are able to gather more information, which contributes to more comprehensive assessments and better reatment plans.