Dear Missouri AACAP Members:

In the Missouri legislature Senate Bill 701 is being considered. This bill would grant psychologists prescriptive authority. You Must Act Now! Senate bill 701 is currently in the Senate Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee. There will be a hearing on this bill on Monday, April 2nd, 2007.

It is extremely urgent that you contact the Senate Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee and urge them to vote “NO” on SB 701.

SB 701 only mandates that psychologist complete 300 hours of classroom instruction and a one year supervised fellowship (in which they can prescribe psychotropic drugs) before that are granted full prescriptive privileges.

AACAP and our coalition partners are concerned that allowing psychologists to prescribe medications will expose children and adolescents to inadequate care. Medical training is necessary to prescribe appropriate medications at a safe dosage level and avoid potentially fatal drug interactions. This is especially true when prescribing for children and adolescents. We encouraged you to contact your state legislators to educate them on this issue.

Instructions
Ask for the legislator by name. Once you are connected, leave your name, along with our suggested message.

Members of the Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee
Delbert Scott, Chair – Delbert.Scott@senate.mo.gov - (573) 751-8793
Jason Crowell, Vice-Chair – Jason.Crowell@senate.mo.gov - (573) 751-2459
Kevin Engler – Kevin.Engler@senate.mo.gov - (573) 751-3455
Brad Lager – Brad.Lager@senate.mo.gov - (573) 751- 1415
John Loudon – John.Loudon@senate.mo.gov - (573) 751-9763
Maida Coleman – Maida.Coleman@senate.mo.gov - (573) 751-2606
Jolie Justus – Jolie.Justus@senate.mo.gov - (573) 751-2788
Harry Kennedy – Harry.Kennedy@senate.mo.gov - (573) 751-2126

Suggested Message
“I am calling to ask Senator ______________ to vote “NO” on SB 701. Prescribing psychotropic medications for children and adolescents requires the judgment of a physician with training and qualifications in the use of these medications. Psychologists do not have the medical and clinical training to prescribe these medications safely. As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I am asking you to please vote “NO” on SB 701.”

Defeat of this bill depends on you taking action today! Once you have made contact with your legislator please contact Ramon Gardenhire, AACAP Assistant Director, State Advocacy at 202.966.7300 Ext. 107 or by e-mail at rgardenhire@aacap.org

Thank you for your action!