Senate Health and Welfare Committee Hears Testimony on H.237 to Let Doctoral Psychologists Prescribe

MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Monday received testimony on H.237, a bill that would give some doctoral‑level psychologists restricted authority to prescribe psychiatric medications after completing a designated postdoctoral psychopharmacology program and supervised clinical rotations.

The measure is aimed at expanding access to mental health care where psychiatric prescribers are scarce, but witnesses and regulators differed on whether the change would materially increase access. Supporters and the Office of Professional Regulation described added training and safeguards; medical and psychiatric groups urged caution and recommended bolstering collaborative, team‑based care instead.

Dr. Rick Barnett, a licensed psychologist and chair of the Vermont Psychological Association’s legislative committee, told the committee the bill is the result of a long effort and what he and supporters view as “a robust” training pathway. “This isn’t a quick fix. This is not a cure all. This is just a small change that we can make to help a few orphaned Vermonters get access to quality health…