Psychologists applaud health care law, but confusion reigns at state level
The APA’s Monitor on Psychology has a lengthy piece this month on the health care reform law and declares: “The landmark legislation offers new opportunity for psychology.”
The APA likes the overall tone of the law and the idea of expanding health care to 32 million people.
More specifically, leaders are applauding the law’s $10 million set aside for doctoral, internship and postdoctoral training. That would triple the size of existing programs for psychologists.
And health care reform extends a 5% Medicare psychotherapy payment restoration through the end of 2010, retroactive to Jan. 1. The cuts had been scheduled for 2007, 2008 and 2009, but psychologists have convinced Congress to delay them each time. This is yet another reprieve.
APA President Carol Goodheart predicts: “There’s going to be increased demand for mental health services under the new law.”
But the National Conference of State Legislatures has an interesting juxtaposition to The Monitor’s celebratory article, which you can read by clicking here.
The NCSL June 5 report points out how widespread the opposition is at the state level to the reform law. At this point, things appear to be chaotic.
“Members of at least 39 state legislatures have proposed legislation to limit, alter or oppose selected state or federal actions, including single-payer provisions and mandates that would require purchase of insurance,” according to the organization.
Attorneys general in 20 states have also mounted legal challenges to the constitutionality of health care reform, as passed and signed by President Obama.
State legislators are confused about how the law will be implemented. The NCSL says lawmakers are scrambling this summer to come up with a game plan—and not all is going smoothly.
Peggy Welch, an Indiana state rep, says nevertheless states need to push ahead even while legal challenges continue.
“We are overwhelmed, but so are the feds,” she says.