Consolidation won’t improve care

During the 2016 “lame duck” legislative session, proposals were simultaneously put forth in the Ohio Senate and House, and supported by Gov. John Kasich, to eliminate the State Board of Psychology, the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, and the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. Citing the only reason for this elimination as “antitrust,” the proposal sought to consolidate these boards into one severely understaffed board, lacking the resources to adequately assess professional competence in each field and investigate quality of service complaints across fields.

Similar board consolidation was previously attempted in Oregon and Colorado, only to be reversed due to concerns about substandard quality of services. Abolishing, then re-establishing, these healthcare boards wasted taxpayer money. In Ohio, at no point were qualified professionals consulted about the potential impact these changes could have on patient care.

This lack of consultation would result in politicians, rather than health-care professionals, making decisions regarding the mental health care of Ohio citizens. In an attempt to protect Ohioans, these concerns were relayed to the sponsors of the 2016 bills, which thankfully did not leave committee in either the Senate or House.

Unfortunately, Kasich has decided to try again, this time as part of the 2017 budget. These boards are fully funded by the licensing fees paid by the licensees — consolidation will not save the taxpayers money. Colleague Marilee Martens and I ask readers to contact members of the House Finance Committee and urge them to put a stop to this proposal.

Melissa Buelow Assistant professor of psychology Ohio State University Newark Granville