NOTEBOOK - New York State Psychological Association

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NYSPA Notebook ~ September 2012 Legislative Update June Feder, PhD NYSPA Member Since 1988 Legislative Committee Chair Advocacy for psychology remains one of NYSPA’s primary roles for its members. To that end, we continually evaluate our agenda and what we need to move it forward. We consider the next couple of years as critical for the future of psychology in New York State. With health care reform on the horizon and ensuing changes in delivery of services and nature of practice, it is vital for us to have a strong presence and voice among legislators and other leaders in our state including agency officials and regulators. To that end, NYSPA’s Council of Representatives voted to retain the services of Meara, Avella and Dickinson to provide our lobbying representation. This is a very well connected lobby firm that has already helped us to take some important steps for connecting with legislators, introducing bills and assisting with developing strategy. With the addition of our new Director of Professional Affairs, Dr. Jerry Grodin, a crackerjack legislative committee and strong advocacy from our current and upcoming presidents, Dr. Richard Juman and Dr. Eric Neblung and our extremely hard-working executive director, Tracy Russell – we are poised to move ahead. The Legislative Committee meets throughout the year to address issues as they arise. Legislative Committee leadership members are in constant contact. The committee membership represents the Divisions of NYSPA and the Regional Psychological Associations throughout the state. The committee makes every effort to address compelling issues relevant to its members needs. PLLC Bill PLLC – Corporate Practice of Medicine Act: NYSPA has been working on changing the corporate practice of medicine law which currently precludes physicians from entering into legal partnerships (PLLCs) with psychologists. This is particularly critical for our interests. Our subcommittee on this issue has developed draft legislation. Great news - at the end of the 2011-12 Legislative Session we were successful in obtaining a primary sponsor in both the Senate and the Assembly for our PLLC bill—S07460/SA10777. We are very grateful for the support of Senator Roy McDonald and Assemblyman David Weprin. This bill will be reintroduced in the 2013-14 Legislative Session and we will begin to actively seek co-sponsors with the goal of getting the bill passed as quickly as possible. Insurance Reform Law of 2011/ABA’s In 2011 autism advocates were successful in passing the Insurance Reform Law which mandates that insurance providers reimburse for autism treatment services including applied behavioral analysis. NYSPA’s legislative committee has met with NYS Education Department (SED) and are following up with the Department of Insurance (DOI) as these regulations are developed to ensure the implementation of these services in alignment with practice laws and safety for consumers of these services. We are also reviewing legislative initiatives that would facilitate provision of these services according to the highest standards of practice. Our plans will be discussed and reviewed at September’s Council Meeting. Sequence of Training NYSPA has been working on this issue for a few years. The goal is to change SED regulation to allow licensure eligible students in psychology to have the option to complete training requirement before graduation. The subcommittee has worked to clarify SED objections to this change, organize data and develop an advocacy strategy. Neuropsychology Technicians NYSPA continues to work toward a solution on this issue. Our goal is to implement a strategy for the use of neuropsychology technicians in line with terms of draft bill approved by NYSPA Council referred to as “Draft #11.” We will continue to advocate for SED administrative action in collaboration with NYSAN in accord with “draft #11” and plan a strategy for legislative solution. Anti-Torture Legislation An ongoing effort of NYSPA has to been to advocate for passage of a bill to prohibit abuse and torture of individuals under interrogation in NYS prisons. Assemblyman Gottfried and Senator Tom Duane have been the primary sponsors of this bill S06795/A5891-A. Senator Duane is retiring from the NY Senate and will not seek re-election. The bill will have to be reintroduced in 2013 with a new Senate sponsor. Concussion Management Law: In 2011 the Concussion Awareness and Management Act took effect July 2012. This law provided greatly needed guidelines for concussion management and education in school athletics. We were not successful in our efforts prior to passage to include psychologists as a mandated part of the concussion management team. We have continued to cite psychologists as among those providers able to make return to play decisions for student athletes who sustain head injuries. 24
NYSPA Notebook ~ September 2012 Why should I be involved with Political Action for Psychology? Select this link to learn “The Truth”… Select this link to get involved and support “The Truth”... 25
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NOTEBOOK - New York State Psychological Association

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