Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 9. Source pages: 1, 5.
At an April 14, town hall meeting designed to discuss concerns about Act 251, LPA members voted to work on exploring ways to bring the regulation of psychology by medical psychologists back under the psychology board.
After lengthy discussions LPA members voted favorably on a motion made by Dr. Tom Hannie.
Dr. Hannie made a motion that the association initiates a conversation among members of four groups: the Louisiana State Medical Society, the Louisiana Psychological Association, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, and the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
He explained to the Times that his motion included that “this conversation would be initiated to explore ways to address the dual licensure issues created by 251.” His motion also included that “there would be a particular focus on finding a way for psychologists to regulate the psychological practice of all psychologists, while leaving physicians to regulate the prescriptive practice of medical psychologists,” said Dr. Hannie.
In the discussion of the motion, members agreed to add the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychology to the four groups to be involved in the conversation, he said.
The motion passed overwhelmingly.
Dr. Hannie said to the Times, “There are no apparent reasons for any of these groups to oppose this idea. If that is the case, next year legislation for this could go through with little or no opposition. If there is opposition from any of these groups the reasons might be of interest to us all.”
The Executive Council scheduled the town hall for the annual meeting after gathering opinions and feedback from members in a survey which indicated that up to 74 percent of respondents were concerned about Act 251.
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