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From http://rxporegon.com/
Oregon House Bill 2800 proposes to expand quality of care
and access for mental health care consumers
SALEM, Ore. A legislative proposal expanding the quality of care and access to mental health care services in Oregon tentatively is scheduled for its first public hearing next week. An emotional battle is expected to play out as mental health care consumers seek relief from Oregons overburdened medical system.
Legislators are being asked to grant limited prescription-writing privileges to qualified psychologists (HB 2800). Medical doctors, nurse practitioners, nurse specialists, physician assistants and psychiatrists in Oregon can prescribe medications used in the treatment of mental and nervous disorders. Psychologists, the mental health professionals who spend the most time helping patients with mental health or emotional issues, cannot prescribe medications.
The hearing is set for 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in the Health Care Subcommittee on Health Policy in Hearing Room E. The Oregon Psychological Association (OPA) backs the bill and has created a Web site with powerful video stories www.RxPOregon.com to explain the proposals benefits.
The current system challenges adults by requiring visits to multiple providers. Patients often drive long distances for a 15-minute medication check, or to see their primary care physician, or both, says Betsy Earls, an OPA spokesperson. Although it is a statewide issue, the lack of access to care affects rural Oregonians the most.
Witnesses expected to testify include education experts with experience preparing psychologists to prescribe medications. Two states, New Mexico and Louisiana, grant prescription-privileges based on national curriculum approved by the American Psychological Association. These state programs have proven safe and effective in meeting the needs of both urban and rural populations, Earls says.
OPAs proposal focuses on ensuring that licensed psychologists before gaining prescriptive authority must receive an additional three years of education and supervised clinical work. Specifically, psychologists who wish to prescribe medications must earn an additional masters degree in clinical psychopharmacology. They also must undergo extensive supervised training where they prescribe medications as part of a patients overall therapy. And, finally, they must pass a national certification exam in psychopharmacology as specified by the Oregon Board of Psychologists Examiners.
Media Contact:
Doug Babb
Conkling Fiskum & McCormick, Inc.
Phone: 503-802-4104; Cell phone: 503-702-6028
Oregon House Bill 2800 proposes to expand quality of care
and access for mental health care consumers
SALEM, Ore. A legislative proposal expanding the quality of care and access to mental health care services in Oregon tentatively is scheduled for its first public hearing next week. An emotional battle is expected to play out as mental health care consumers seek relief from Oregons overburdened medical system.
Legislators are being asked to grant limited prescription-writing privileges to qualified psychologists (HB 2800). Medical doctors, nurse practitioners, nurse specialists, physician assistants and psychiatrists in Oregon can prescribe medications used in the treatment of mental and nervous disorders. Psychologists, the mental health professionals who spend the most time helping patients with mental health or emotional issues, cannot prescribe medications.
The hearing is set for 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in the Health Care Subcommittee on Health Policy in Hearing Room E. The Oregon Psychological Association (OPA) backs the bill and has created a Web site with powerful video stories www.RxPOregon.com to explain the proposals benefits.
The current system challenges adults by requiring visits to multiple providers. Patients often drive long distances for a 15-minute medication check, or to see their primary care physician, or both, says Betsy Earls, an OPA spokesperson. Although it is a statewide issue, the lack of access to care affects rural Oregonians the most.
Witnesses expected to testify include education experts with experience preparing psychologists to prescribe medications. Two states, New Mexico and Louisiana, grant prescription-privileges based on national curriculum approved by the American Psychological Association. These state programs have proven safe and effective in meeting the needs of both urban and rural populations, Earls says.
OPAs proposal focuses on ensuring that licensed psychologists before gaining prescriptive authority must receive an additional three years of education and supervised clinical work. Specifically, psychologists who wish to prescribe medications must earn an additional masters degree in clinical psychopharmacology. They also must undergo extensive supervised training where they prescribe medications as part of a patients overall therapy. And, finally, they must pass a national certification exam in psychopharmacology as specified by the Oregon Board of Psychologists Examiners.
Media Contact:
Doug Babb
Conkling Fiskum & McCormick, Inc.
Phone: 503-802-4104; Cell phone: 503-702-6028
