Association Executive Directors Community

  • 1.  Reciprocity Legislation

    Posted 02-04-2021 21:21
    Our Governor is really pushing a bill that would allow for reciprocity for all behavioral health providers as well as a long list of other types of licenses. Does your state have any type of reciprocity statutes in existence or are you seeing this type of legislation. We have some hesitancy as well as other impacted professions. The Governor is really pushing for our support.

    Thanks,

    ------------------------------
    Annette Dubas
    Executive Director
    Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations
    Fullerton NE
    308-550-0614
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Reciprocity Legislation

    Posted 02-05-2021 09:30
    Annette,

    It seems a common concern lately and we have some legislators here in Wyoming that would like to move in that direction too.  So far we have been able to hold them off.  .  

    Concerns/Reasons against that we shared with our legislators regarding universal reciprocity:
    1)Loses local control for public safety.  If another state decides to severely lower their standards, then we would not be able to ensure proper education, experience, etc.  

    2)While we think that all states are slowly working towards similar standards we are not there yet.  We support more substantial reciprocity through compacts.  

    3)Our board have made significant improvements to reciprocity, especially with surrounding states so that most people can get their license within a few days.  What is the actual problem they are trying to solve?  If it's workforce, see the next one.  If it's complaints that the boards take too long to issue licenses, then I would suggest that universal reciprocity probably won't full address that issue.

      4)It's not a panacea to solve workforce issues.  Universal reciprocity is unlikely to result in a deluge of providers flocking to practice in our state.  Of course we are Wyoming, so there are a lot of other reasons for provider shortage.    

    Good luck!


    Andi Summerville
    Executive Director
    Cell 307-399-0963
    Wyoming Association of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Centers




    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Reciprocity Legislation

    National Council Staff
    Posted 02-08-2021 14:03

    I just came upon this article - Occupational Licensing Reform Gains Steam in Statehouses - State Net that helps put this issue into contect.

     https://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/products/state-net/news/2021/02/05/occupational-licensing-reform-gains-steam-in-statehouses.page?utm_source=sumome&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sumome_share

    Chuck

     

    Chuck Ingoglia
    President & CEO
    National Council for Behavioral Health
    1400 K Street NW Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005
    Direct: (202) 684-3749
    Email: ChuckI@TheNationalCouncil.org
           
    www.TheNationalCouncil.org  
    Conf20!

    https://www.facebook.com/TheNationalCouncil
    https://twitter.com/nationalcouncil
    https://www.youtube.com/user/nationalcouncil
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/1784305/
    		 
     



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Reciprocity Legislation

    Posted 02-08-2021 15:38

    Good Afternoon:

    I have difficulty with this. I have two minds on it.  I get quality control and integrity of the profession, but I sympathize with the argument that they create barriers to access to a given profession.  

    We've been trying to stand up community health workers here in Illinois for several years.  Docs fought psychologists being able to prescribe limited medications, but finally they can with additional education and focused training.  We have members on both sides of the issue of tiers of DSP certifications, but we all recognize we need paths to professional growth and careers. 

    I could be off base, but if we are unable to convince payors that licensed or certified professionals (and entities) have earned rate growth and adequate reimbursement, then should there not be horizontal growth in the workforce that may command less in terms of salary and benefits, but are qualified to engage in providing health and social services?

    Is it Monday?



    ------------------------------
    Josh Evans
    President/CEO
    Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities
    Springfield IL
    217-725-7859
    ------------------------------

    Original Message