Support the Washington State Prescribing Psychologist Bill: Expanding Access to Quality Healthcare

It is time to do something to help those who do not have access to adequate mental health treatment. Psychologists are in a unique position to address these needs and support the needs of the community in this area. We need our communities to support this legislation!

I support expanding the ability of WA psychologists to provide services in a state where prescribers are in dire need. Given the successful implementation in other states, I believe we can also successfully offer medication management services to our patient populations.

We need to expand access to knowledgeable prescribers!

The status quo for behavioral health in Washington State is not adequate to meet the increasing needs and demands for services. Psychologists with advanced & specialized training in clinical psychopharmacology are in a unique position to address these needs through prescriptive authority. Opponents of this bill have yet to offer solutions to address the actual behavioral health needs of the people of Washington State. Choose to increase available providers. Choose practical solutions. Choose to support people struggling to access care. Choose to support this bill.

WA

Increase public's access to mental health medication care

RXP rights now!

We recognize the importance of Mental Health for every person. Time to include all people.

Thank you, David, for your comments. Washington State would be the 8th state, as Colorado (2023) and Utah (2024) recently passed their prescribing medical psychologist bills.

Yes, I support this bill.

Please take note: the largest opponent to this bill is the AMA - refer to the letter dated January 18, 2024 from James Madara, MD. The bill before the Washington legislature is for *psychologists with advanced & specialized training in clinical psychopharmacology*. The bill will not give blanket authority to any random psychologist. As of March 2024, five (5) states have accepted this idea of psychological authority - let's let Washington become the sixth.

Please support this improvement in access for Deaf and DeafBlind patients.

Support

Behavioral health needs for the Deaf and hard of hearing community is a huge need for the all the Northwestern states. May the State of Washington be the 'Flagship' and Role Model in expanding access to Quality Healthcare for all Deaf and hard of hearing in Northwest.

As a Deaf professional I know there has been too much abuse, neglect, and trauma done to Deaf children, adults and elders. While that is outrageous and must stop immediately, just as outrageous is what I learned studying about healthcare of the Deaf. Since many Deaf people use American Sign Language, and have distinct manners of expressing their emotions, the majority of prescribing-capable psychiatrists in our state are incompetent when it comes to diagnosis of a Deaf person’s condition. This means few can do it right and do no harm first! It means we actually need a broader net of medical professionals to treat the Deaf community who need medication and correct, direct, and compassionate diagnosis. One method we can use to increase the number of Deaf culturally competent, ASL-fluent prescribers is to approve for high levels of training for experienced psychologists to prescribe the right medication and adjust it according to accurate observations. The need for this is great in our state. I do not take this lightly and hope you can support this too.

Quality healthcare is a fundamental right for all!

It’s very difficult for deaf or blind in-state patients patients to get prescriptions refilled if they go to a different state (because many deaf individuals can’t sign or speak clearly and have a very hard time communicating with heath care professionals not specialized in treating them). Please help!

MORE BETTER HEALTHCARE SHOULD NOT BE CONTROVERSIAL OR HARD TO GET

I support this bill for the fact that invest in mental health is key for all of us. Lets create a better environment starting from the mental health.

In support of this petition.