The Department of Health and Human Services is writing proposed rules to implement a policy passed by Congress nearly four years ago to begin providing funding support through Medicare for clinical training of psychologists in hospital-based programs.

As described in federal budget legislation enacted in 1997, psychologists are grouped with several other categories of nonphysician health professionals, such as nurses, physical therapists, and paramedics, whose training programs are eligible for reimbursements to cover the costs associated with training these health workers. The Medicare funds earmarked for these allied health professionals do not affect the amount available for reimbursing medical residency programs.

APA’s Division of Government Relations is seeking advice from the Association’s education-related components to assess the implications of this proposed rule for the hospitals conducting the training. Based on this input, APA will be ready to respond to the rule proposal once HHS publishes it.