Sponsor of H.237 says psychologists should be able to prescribe after extra training

Representative Topper McFlan, sponsor of H.237, told the Senate Health & Welfare committee on Jan. 16 that the bill would allow certain psychologists to prescribe medication after completing specified graduate coursework.

"We're finding that when we're dealing with somebody with [a] mental health problem, ... if a prescription for some kind of drug is needed, they can't do it ... the psychiatrist is the only one that they can provide the prescription," Topper McFlan said, explaining that psychologists in his district asked for the change because of long waits for psychiatrists.

The sponsor said the proposal responds to a statewide shortage of psychiatrists and would aim to speed access to treatment by permitting psychologists who meet education and training requirements to provide prescriptions when clinically appropriate. He emphasized that psychologists would need to complete additional training so they "understand the ramifications of using a particular drug."

Committee members and staff discussed lining up testimony from clinical and professional groups, including psychiatrists, psychologists and the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR). A PhD psychologist (Rick Barnett) and others who raised the issue locally were discussed as possible witnesses. The committee asked staff to schedule testimony and to narrow the list of submitters to the most relevant experts.

There was no formal vote on H.237 during this session; the sponsor offered to recruit practitioners who had approached him to testify at a future meeting.

Next steps: the committee will schedule expert testimony, including from clinical practitioners and OPR representatives, before further consideration of the bill.