DES MOINES, Iowa — A bill pending in the Iowa House would allow specially trained psychologists to prescribe medication to mentally ill people in hopes of alleviating a shortage of treatment options, but the proposal has run into opposition from some of the state’s psychiatrists.
Sen. Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, has been the leading supporter of the bill, which would allow licensed psychologists who complete additional coursework and training to prescribe about 100 medications. Supporters of the bill hope to ease treatment delays, especially among rural patients, that can stretch on for a month or longer and require long drives to larger cities.
“We have a shortage of mental health professionals in Iowa,” Bolkcom said. “I think that we need more access to these medications that we know are effective.”
The bill passed the Senate earlier this month but hasn’t come up for a vote in the House as lawmakers work to approve budget bills and adjourn the legislative session.
The legislation is meant to address a chronic shortage of psychiatrists and others who can prescribe medications for people seeking treatment for mental illnesses. A 2015 report estimated there are about 120,000 people in Iowa with serious mental illness, but only about 300 psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who can prescribe medication.
Iowa is ranked 47th nationally in the number of practicing psychiatrists per capita.
“The shortage of psychiatry in the state is really bad… especially if you look out into rural areas, there’s almost nobody,” said Matthew Dzak, a psychologist in Centerville.
Kristina Richey, the director of Integrated Health Home, which helps people get treatment in southwest Iowa, said letting psychologists prescribe drugs would help rural clients.
