Pennsylvania Legislative Update
Presented by Anthony Ragusea, PsyD, MSCP, ABPP
Recorded on Friday, March 15th, 2024
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
This presentation will focus on the history and current status of the prescriptive authority legislative movement in Pennsylvania. 2022 was the first year Pennsylvania introduced a prescriptive authority bill, but the history of this effort goes back decades. I will summarize the steps taken to help get to where we are, describe the bill we are proposing, what some of the response has been and what we anticipate moving forward.
When attended in full, this program offers 1.0 APA CEs for Psychologists.
This presentation will focus on the history and current status of the prescriptive authority legislative movement in Pennsylvania. 2022 was the first year Pennsylvania introduced a prescriptive authority bill, but the history of this effort goes back decades. I will summarize the steps taken to help get to where we are, describe the bill we are proposing, what some of the response has been and what we anticipate moving forward.
After attending this introductory-level program, participants will be able to:
- List at least three effective strategies to developing a plan to advance prescriptive authority legislation, and understand at least three common pitfalls that can delay getting legislation past.
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.
This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 1: Program is relevant to psychological practice, education, and/or science.
Anthony Ragusea, PsyD, MSCP, ABPP
Licensed Psychologist, Adjunct Professor at Wright State University and Asst. Professor of Psychiatry at Geisinger School of Medicine.
Hughes, P. M., Phillips, D. C., McGrath, R. E., & Thomas, K. C. (in press). Simulating the impact of psychologist prescribing authority policies on mental health prescriber shortages. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice.
Hughes, P. M., Phillips, D. C., McGrath, R. E., & Thomas, K. C. (2023). Examining psychologist prescriptive authority as a cost-effective strategy for reducing suicide rates. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 54(4), 284–294. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000519
Hughes, P. M., McGrath, R. E., & Thomas, K. C. (2023). Evaluating the impact of prescriptive authority for psychologists on the rate of deaths attributed to mental illness. Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy, 19(4), 667–672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.12.006
Linda, W.P. & McGrath, R. (2017). The current status of prescribing psychologists: Practice patterns and medical professional evaluations. Professional Psychology Research and Practice, 48(1):38-45
Merritt Hawkins (2015). Psychiatry: “The Silent Shortage.” Retrieved November 10, 2018 from
https://www.merritthawkins.com/uploadedFiles/MerrittHawkins/Content/
News_and_Insights/Thought_Leadership/mhawhitepaperpsychiatry2018.pdf
Sammons, M. T., Levant, R. F., & Paige, R. U. (2003). Prescriptive Authority for Psychologists: A History and Guide. American Psychological Association
Target Audience: Psychologists.
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Non Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.