Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 255, H.D. 2, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish an interim task force on the accessibility of mental health care to consider the feasibility of having the State authorize trained and supervised psychologists to safely prescribe psychotropic medications for the treatment of mental illness.

The Hawaii Psychological Association, the Hawaii Psychiatric Association, Health Psychology Associates, Inc., a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology, and nine individuals testified in support of this measure. The Hawaii Medical Association testified in support of the opportunity to discuss differences and areas of agreement concerning prescriptive authority for psychologists.

There is a severe crisis regarding the availability and accessibility of mental health providers with prescriptive authority in already medically under-served areas of Hawaii. The demand for mental health services significantly outnumbers the number of mental health professionals in these areas. Studies indicate a projected nationwide shortfall of twenty thousand licensed psychiatrists by the year 2010. Professionals other than psychiatrists, such as advanced practice nurses and physician's assistants, prescribe psychotropic medications safely, but their availability alone is not sufficient to deal with the increasing demand for services. Psychologists receive training in the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders. The Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project trained ten prescribing psychologists who prescribe independently and have built a record of outstanding patient care.

This measure will consider the feasibility of authorizing qualified and supervised psychologists to safely prescribe psychotropic medications for the treatment of mental illness.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 255, H.D. 2, and recommends its adoption.