Practice Update
In the Spotlight
Senate and House achieve historic agreement on parity
After intense negotiations, the Senate and House have closed the gap on issues of preemption, out-of-network services and covered services, reaching an historic agreement on the terms of a final full mental health parity bill
APA contests proposed AMA resolution on title restriction
In a battle over the use of the terms "doctor," "resident" and "residency" in medical settings, APA's advocacy plays a role in the AMA's rejection of a resolution that would have excluded psychologists
Practitioners Resources
- Practice marketing: Are you using a blog?
Blogging is an easy, effective, low-cost way to market yourself online — but most psychologists aren't taking advantage of it
- Guidance for psychologists on international disaster response
The APA Statement on the Role of Psychologists in International Emergencies provides guidance to members who want to assist in the aftermath of disasters abroad
From the Field
- Senate continues to consider Medicare payment legislation
Negotiations are underway among Senate leaders to create a compromise package, after the Baucus-Snowe Medicare Bill falls five votes short of moving to the Senate floor
- House testimony on VA issues includes APA official
Randy Phelps, PhD, deputy executive director of the APA Practice Directorate, recently testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee on recruitment and retention of psychologists in the VA system
- Voice awards honor realistic media portrayals
The May 2008 SAMHSA awards ceremony honored accurate and realistic film and television portrayals of persons with mental health disorders