Advocacy

Earlier today, AACAP President Gregory K. Fritz, MD, issued a statement on behalf of AACAP saying that the latest Senate draft of the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) fails a key test: namely, that “all American children and their families need ready access to medical care through insurance coverage, be it private or governmental, including mental health and substance use disorder services.” Please be on the lookout for possible AACAP Action Alerts next week, as the Senate moves closer to a possible vote on this ill-conceived and dangerous legislation. You can access Dr. Fritz’s full statement here.

OREGON GOVERNOR NOW CONSIDERING PSYCHOLOGY PRESCRIBING LEGISLATION

Just before the 2017 legislative session adjourned in Oregon, the legislature approved a bill that would allow psychologists to prescribe. The bill is awaiting action by Gov. Kate Brown (D), and AACAP is petitioning the Governor to veto this bill, which we strongly oppose. If signed into law, Oregon would become the sixth state to allow psychologists to prescribe medication, although only Louisiana and New Mexico’s psychology prescribing law are operational. As written, HB3355 would grant psychologists prescriptive authority overseen by a new Committee on Prescribing Psychologists, within the State Board of Psychologist Examiners, after obtaining only a master’s degree in psychopharmacology from a program designated by the American Psychological Association, and completing a 24-month, self-developed “residency program.” For psychologists intending to treat any special population, including pediatrics, some training with special populations would be required over three months. Once the self-developed residency is completed, no physician oversight would be required of psychologists.

Oregon’s Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is working closely with the Oregon Psychiatric Physicians Association, Oregon Medical Association, and numerous child-focused organization in opposing this legislation.

AACAP continues to strongly advocate for safe and appropriate prescribing, and proven ways to increase access to physician-led collaborative psychiatric care teams. Creating new avenues for prescriptive authority is the wrong way to improve access to quality mental health care. AACAP members may find tools related to scope of practice on AACAP’s advocacy webpages.

COLLABORATIVE CARE ADVANCES IN NEW JERSEY

The New Jersey State Budget for FY18 includes an allocation of $5M for a statewide pediatric collaborative care program. These funds will extend the current collaborative care pilot that is operational in eleven counties to the entire state. This decision by New Jersey Lawmakers marks the culmination of 10 years of advocacy work by the New Jersey Council of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and other stakeholders focused on improving children’s mental health services. The initiative to bring integrated pediatric collaborative care to NJ began almost ten years ago with an AACAP Advocacy & Collaboration grant. Funds were utilized to host a mental health forum bringing together legislators, policy makers, health care professionals and children health advocates. AACAP members are invited to read more about AACAP Advocacy & Collaboration Grants and begin planning now for 2018 grant applications.

VISIT CONGRESS DURING AACAP’S 64th ANNUAL MEETING

Don’t miss the opportunity to lobby your members of Congress about children’s mental health while in Washington, DC, for AACAP’s 64th Annual Meeting. AACAP is inviting members to join us on Monday, October 23, starting at 9:00 am, for a new Legislative Program and Congressional Visits event during this year’s Annual Meeting.

To register, AACAP members must select this free, ticketed Member Service Forum with your Annual Meeting registration. Annual Meeting registration opens for AACAP members on August 1. With record AACAP member participation at the 2017 AACAP Legislative Conference, we encourage you not to wait to register for this event, once available, as space is limited. More details, including the full meeting schedule and hotel information can be found here.

This program will help equip attendees with the necessary know-how and offer the advocacy material needed to successfully lobby your own U.S. Representative and Senators on AACAP’s policy priorities. Prior advocacy and lobbying experience is not required, but seasoned advocates are encouraged to attend. Please note: A volunteer state leader or regional captain assigned to your area will coordinate all appointments with Congressional offices. Individual attendees will receive more details, once registered for this event. If you are interested in serving as a state or regional captain to help coordinate Congressional appoints from your home region, or would like more information, please email gov@aacap.org.

NEW AACAP POLICY ON TELEPSYCHIATRY RELEASED

A new AACAP policy statement, Delivery of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services Through Telepsychiatry was recently approved by AACAP’s Council. Authored principally by AACAP’s Telepsychiatry Committee, chaired by Kathleen Meyers, MD, and David Pruitt, MD, the statement asserts telepsychiatry has the potential to increase the access and quality of mental health services in several ways.

AACAP NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE PATTERNS

Please take a moment to complete a short member survey to help AACAP better understand the practice patterns and insurance plan participation of our members. This confidential survey will take less than five minutes of your time, but the results will greatly impact the development of member services, and support our lobbying efforts before the U.S. Congress. The survey closes Monday, July 17.

2018 LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED

Save-the-date! The 2018 Legislative Conference is scheduled for Sunday, April 8 and Monday, April 9. Please note that this is a shift in the days of the week the conference is typically held.