Coloradans may soon benefit from mental-health access assistance

The Colorado legislature is seeking ways to address Coloradans’ lack of access to mental health services amidst a national mental health shortage. On February 9, the Colorado House of Representatives voted 56–6 to pass HB1071. The bill creates a new category of mental health specialists called Prescribing Psychologists, or RxPs. …

In Colorado, as in most states, clinical psychologists must refer patients who need medication to licensed prescribers—usually psychiatrists. But nowadays, roughly 50% of psychiatrists don’t take insurance, and it can be difficult and costly for patients to see psychiatrists. And many small or rural communities don’t have psychiatrists.