Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HONOLULU (AP) — State lawmakers are looking to make Hawaii one of only a few states that allow psychologists to prescribe medication in an effort to increase access to mental health services.
Under the proposed legislation, psychologists could prescribe medication as long as they complete 400 hours of special training, supervise 100 patients and pass an exam created by the American Psychological Association.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports (http://bit.ly/26zVP05 ) psychologists in New Mexico, Louisiana and Illinois are authorized to prescribe medication. Iowa lawmakers approved a similar bill this week.
Supporters of the bill, including the Hawaii Medical Service Association, say it could bridge the gap to services for the state's rural residents. Opponents cite concerns with the required training needed to prescribe drugs and say it would put people with mental illness at risk.
___
Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
