Cato Daily Podcast
Prescribing Psychologists and Access to Care
Aug 30, 2024
Jeff Singer, an advocate for prescribing psychologists, discusses their transformative potential in addressing the mental health care crisis. He highlights the serious physician shortage and the benefits of allowing psychologists to prescribe medications. Singer delves into recent legislative advancements that could enhance access to care, while also examining the challenges and resistance faced from traditional medical organizations. The conversation sheds light on the real-world struggles individuals face in obtaining mental health medications, illustrating a critical gap in patient care.
13:46
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Quick takeaways
- The rise of prescribing psychologists offers a promising solution to the critical shortage of mental health professionals and medication access.
- Significant resistance from established medical organizations poses challenges to the integration of prescribing psychologists within the healthcare system.
Deep dives
Challenges in Accessing Mental Health Care
Access to mental health care in the U.S. is severely limited, even for those with insurance, particularly in finding practitioners who can prescribe medication. Approximately half of psychiatrists accept insurance, leaving many patients to pay out of pocket. A significant shortage of psychiatrists exacerbates the problem, with more professionals retiring than entering the field. This situation creates a bottleneck where patients struggle to get the therapy they need, as they often have to rely on other healthcare providers to prescribe medications.
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