Article archive / October 1, 2009
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 2. Source pages: 1, 2.
In May Senator Ben Nevers from Bogalusa introduced the Act 251 to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs. Testifying for the bill were Dr. Robert Marier, the Executive Director of the LSBME and Dr. John Bolter of the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists. Senator Nevers introduced the bill saying, “I filed this bill because I believe it brings about better health care for our citizens in this state.”
Dr. Marier also testified, saying, “This is a legislation represents an extraordinary collaboration, as Senator Nevers has mentioned, involving the Board of Medical Examiners, the Academy of Medical Psychologists, the State Medical Society, and the Psychiatric Medical Association, all of whom are in support of this bill. It arose because leadership of the Academy of Medical Psychologists came to us– came to the board–and said that they would like to come under the board, and felt that this would improve access to psychiatric care throughout the state, promoting collaboration between physicians and medical psychologists, and also to provide for the future development of Medical Psychologists as a profession. We all recognize how much they do, how important their work is, and we wanted to provide them with opportunities to develop professionally.”
Dr. Marier reviewed the basic provisions of the bill saying, “It requires applicants for licensure as medical psychologists, after the transfer, to be licensed as psychologists, by the Board of Examiners of Psychology as a requirement for applying to us for licensure as medical psychologists. But once licensed by us they would no longer be licensed or regulated by the Psychology Board.”
“Bottom line,” he said, “is this bill provides for improved access and future development of these professions and we believe it may establish a pattern for other health professions and other states, looking at expanding scopes of practice for various types of health care providers.”
Dr. Marier explained the amendments, one to add a psychiatrist to the Advisory Committee and educational requirements for Advanced Practice.
Dr. John Bolter testified saying, “I would like to point out the historical significance of this Act. Five years ago on May 6th, Governor Blanco signed the original Prescriptive Authority for Medical Psychologists. So it is significant that we have come full circle in the sense that our professions have begun to work together for better patient care in Louisiana and we are very proud of that.”
(Editor’s note: This report is based on information from the Broadcast Archives of the State Senate. http://senate.legis.state.la.us/commerce/archives/20 09/video.htm.)
Inkblot representation of Senate hearing: Left to right: Dr. Marier, Senator Nevers, and Dr. Bolter.
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