Article archive / March 1, 2014
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 7. Source pages: 8.
In a decision still not available in the minutes of the state psychology Board, the members decided to allow the continuing education offered in the past by the Political Action Committee named Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychology-PAC.
The PAC, commonly referred to as “LAMP,” has been offering continuing education to medical psychologists for several years. With the passage of Act 251 in 209, medical psychologists were required to purchase 25% of their training from LAMP-PAC. Specifics of this arrangement are not clear, but some sources note that the cost was $2500, also considered a contribution.
The practice of requiring contributions to a PAC is prohibited by Louisiana campaign finance laws, and the arrangement of fees for continuing education under these conditions is unclear. Both the medical board and the psychology board approved these continuing education courses, but rules for neither of these boards include PACs as professional training providers.
The Times reporter attended the February meeting of the psychology board and asked about the decision. Board members said that they decided to approve past training by the PAC, but not for the future.
LAMP leaders recently formed a new organization by the same name, registered with the Secretary of State. Some sources refer to this as a new, “regional” organization. The creation of a new organization came after an investigative effort by the Times which included asking the state ethics board about a PAC selling or requiring payments for continuing education.
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