As health provider workforce shortages continue to affect rural and underserved areas in the wake of the opioid crisis, state policymakers will look to address access to care in their communities this legislative session.
Many lawmakers are considering strategies to expand the behavioral health workforce. Behavioral health providers assist people with a variety of mental health and substance use needs, in settings from prevention programs to community-based and inpatient treatment programs.
To help inform state legislators about strategies other states are examining related to behavioral health professions, ScopeofPracticePolicy.org recently launched a new page with key state-specific data.
The new practitioner page features maps outlining the number of nurse practitioners and physician assistants who have received a waiver from federal government to prescribe buprenorphine-containing products. It also highlights information related to the ability of licensed professional counselors to diagnose patients and which states offer certification or credentialing for peer support specialists.
For specific state information related to these key professionals and other health care workers, visit your state profile page to read more and look up state statutes and regulations.
The legislative database will also track introduced and enacted state legislation related to the new behavioral health expansion – be sure to check the database for updates. More information on behavioral health professionals can be found on the resources page.