04/29/2016

Bill Allowing Psychologists to Prescribe Draws Opposition from Medical Groups

Ohio ACEP and other medical societies have urged legislators not to co-sponsor the bill

Sen. Bill Seitz (R – Cincinnati) recently introduced a bill which would allow certain psychologists to prescribe drugs. Under Senate Bill 300, a psychologist would be eligible to prescribe if they meet the following requirements:

• Complete a course in psychopharmacology;
• Under the direction of a qualified practitioner, complete a period of clinical supervision in the psychopharmacological treatment of diverse patient populations; and
• Pass the psychopharmacology examination for psychologists offered by the American Psychological Association practice organization’s college of professional psychology; or
• In lieu of these requirements, psychologists could complete the United States Department of Defense psychopharmacology project

Ohio ACEP and other medical societies recently sent a letter to House Members expressing concerns with any proposal expanding prescriptive authority to psychologists.

SB 300 is currently being considered by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Check out future editions of the Advocacy Update for the latest on the bill’s progress.