Subcommittee proposes graduate behavioral‑health weight (2.075), tables optometry for GAI review

The advisory committee’s Charge 2b subgroup recommended a new graduate weight for behavioral health programs and asked institutions to supply program inventories before the January report.

Mike Tremontae, Charge 2b lead, described a methodology that adjusted cost‑to‑formula ratios and produced a recommended graduate behavioral health weight of 2.075 after discussion and calibration against nursing and allied health examples. He said the subgroup concluded the weight “would be available” to behavioral‑health programs, including those embedded within existing schools, and that assigning the weight would require coordinating‑board work to map CFIS codes to affected FTSE.

Committee members discussed optometry and its evolving clinical complexity. Subcommittee members said optometry appears more like medical school than prior GAI programs but decided not to fold optometry into the HRI formula at this time; instead, they recommended schools pursue a cost‑based option within the GAI construct and that the HRI committee relay its views to GAI leadership.

Members requested a working definition of “behavioral health” and asked institutions to identify which programs and hours would be carved out for the new weight. Melita Berger agreed to circulate proposed definitions and staff will run scenarios when institutions provide the program inventories. The committee plans to reconvene in January to review updated numbers and the draft report.