Bill to allow psychologists to prescribe medicine mired in House

The word from at least one vote counter is that legislation to allow doctoral-level psychologists to prescribe medications is well shy of the votes it needs to pass in the House.

Now, only medically trained people, such as psychiatrists and doctors, can prescribe medications. Psychologists must work with a medically trained people to order prescriptions. Backers of the legistation say letting psychologists write prescriptions would expand access because there are many more psychologists than psychiatrists.

The legislation passed in the Senate last year as SB 2187. But apparently it’s having a harder time in the House.

Editorial boards at the Chicago Sun-Times, Lake County News-Sun, Chicago Tribune, State Journal Register, Rockford Register Star, the Daily Herald and Peoria Journal Star have opposed the measure.

Read a Feb. 20 Sun-Times editorial about the bill here.