Congressional Action Needed. See the APA ACTION Alert here. California clinical psychologist (former member of the California Assembly, now member of Congress) Judy Chu (D, Pasadena) is promoting psychologist scope of practice expansion within Medicare. Her current bill in Congress (H.R. 884) would amend Medicare to include psychologists within the definition of physician, and accord them all the rights and privileges thereof. Those could include developing treatment plans, admitting and releasing patients, and potentially ordering seclusion and restraints. There is no direct and immediate implication regarding prescribing privileges. However, once these authorities are granted the next step is predictably prescribing. Much harder to do since federal law defers to state law on these matters. Still. Please register your opposition.
