Has Massachusetts fallen behind in adopting PSYPACT initiative?
Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem is not giving up on a bill that would enable psychologists to practice across state lines, legally and ethically, without necessitating they become licensed in every state.
Creem filed a petition last year accompanied by legislation (Bill S.1980) to establish a Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Act (PSYPACT) in Massachusetts, an initiative of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).
“PSYPACT regulates psychologists practicing tele-psychology across state lines and also temporary, in person, face to face practice,” said Robert Azrak, Ed.D., a licensed psychologist who is a staunch advocate of the bill.
“The legislation is important for continuity of care. For example, a Massachusetts resident who leaves the state on a vacation or business trip, or a college student who decides to attend university out of state, cannot have an ‘online’ therapy session with their established therapist,” he explained.
Another circumstance would be if a Massachusetts resident moves to another state and can no longer continue a therapeutic relationship with an established therapist.
Azrak said the legislature heard testimony from witnesses from the Massachusetts Psychological Association and the armed services, as well as “highly experienced clinicians.”
Creem noted while the demand for mental health care has surged in recent years, many Massachusetts residents struggle to find a psychologist.
“Other residents find a psychologist they like, but due to existing licensing rules, their care is interrupted if they have to spend significant stretches of time out of state,” she said.
“It’s essential that people receive the mental health care they need. This bill would ensure continuity of care for Massachusetts residents who spend time out of state, while also promoting greater access to mental health services, especially in rural areas of the Commonwealth.”
Creem said the primary beneficiaries of the bill would be residents who are college students, snowbirds and people traveling for work who want Massachusetts-based psychologists even when they are outside the Commonwealth.
She added, “The same will be true for residents of other states who spend time in Massachusetts and want to continue seeing a psychologist based in their home state.”
According to Azrak, seven states applied for the first memberships in 2019 and PSYPACT became operational in those states in 2020. He said he has been aware of the S.1980 and its companion bill H.2966 since the bills were filed in 2023.
“In 2022, a similar PSYPACT bill reached (then) Governor Charlie Baker’s desk but was not signed due to a technicality,” Azrak said.
A licensed psychologist in Massachusetts since 1979, Azrak has maintained a private practice in Rockland for nearly 20 years,
He was moved to write to the offices of Creem and Balser and when those letters were not answered, he called.
“Their support staff was helpful in clarifying the status of the bills,” Azrak said.
He said he also wrote to Sen. John Keenan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means Michael Rodrigues and Senate President Karen Spilka, but did not receive responses from those offices.
“My letters noted that Massachusetts is one of eight states, and the only New England state, that has yet to enact PSYPACT legislation,” Azrak added.
“While Massachusetts likes to see itself as a leader in healthcare, including mental healthcare, the Commonwealth has fallen behind in adopting the nationwide PSYPACT initiative,” he said.
Creem said her bill received a favorable report from the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight and was referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, where it is still pending.
The House version of the bill was referred from the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, which sent it to study, Creem noted.
Creem acknowledged the legislative session is nearing its end and it is unlikely the bill will pass into law. If that it is the case, she will refile it next session.