MEDICAID POLICY - PSYCHOLOGY OVERLOOKED AGENDA

Although psychologists are recognized as autonomous providers under almost every major federal health care initiative, they are not federally recognized as such under Medicaid because of Medicaid's unique federal-state partnership. State-by-state information on the access to psychologists under state Medicaid regulations are presented. As the move toward national health care reform becomes increasingly evident in the 1990s, psychologists have the responsibility and the opportunity to design innovative, behaviorally oriented health care delivery models in response to the national concerns of adequate coverage, access, and quality care. To do this, psychology as a profession must gain formal recognition under the various state Medicaid plans, either on a state-by-state basis or by way of federal mandates (as it was achieved by professional nursing).