Psychologist Prescribing

The importance of defeating a study bill on psychologist prescribing in New Hampshire is of national significance (Psychiatric News, March 19). This is believed to be the first time that such a study bill has been defeated.

While a number of states have defeated psychologist-prescribing bills, APA district branches need to be aware of psychologists' use of study bills as a potential new strategy to obtain prescriptive rights. Study bills are by nature more difficult to defeat due to the natural tendency to allow for a fair and thorough review of a subject. Furthermore, those who oppose a study bill may be perceived as rigid and obstructionistic to the fair exchange of ideas.

Nevertheless, the New Hampshire Psychiatric Society was ready to take on that challenge and won. State legislators listened to our position and clearly believed the issue did not merit further review.

This victory should invigorate other district branches to oppose any attempt to pass study bills on psychologist prescribing. Let your legislators know that there is no need to study the issue further and that there is a precedent for the defeat of study bills.