Administration launching multistate licensure compact

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In a bid to streamline licensure, this week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the first-ever Licensure Portability Grant Program investment in a multistate social worker licensure compact.

State licensure compacts allow states to come together on a common approach to licensing healthcare providers, allowing providers to practice across state lines without having to apply for a license in each state.

Streamlining licensure while maintaining quality standards, HHS said, improves access to services both by better facilitating hiring and by easing pathways to utilizing telehealth.

The announcement was made at HRSA's National Telehealth Conference, the largest federal conference on telehealth issues.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

The new $2.5 million investment in licensure compacts will support the work to launch a social worker compact and HRSA's ongoing work to build and sustain primary care, psychology and podiatry compacts. HRSA identified behavioral health as a priority in its state licensure compact work.

Since HRSA began investing in licensure compacts, the Interstate Medical Licensing Compact and the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) have each grown to include 40 states, Washington, D.C., and one territory.

HHS said the awards will support the Association of Social Work Boards, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, and the Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards in working with state licensing boards to develop and implement state policies that reduce barriers to telehealth and allow for practice across state lines.

"Social workers are on the frontlines in responding to the Administration's priorities, including meeting children's mental health needs, responding to the opioid epidemic, and addressing maternal depression," said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. "Today's announcement is a critical step in helping social workers serve people in need, particularly in rural and underserved communities across the country."

THE LARGER TREND

HRSA's National Telehealth Conference brings public and private sector leaders together to discuss telehealth best practices to expand services in underserved and rural communities. 

This year, over 2,000 people registered to explore the future of telehealth, including innovation, policy and licensure issues.

ON THE RECORD

"Social workers are essential to expanding access to behavioral healthcare services, a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration," said HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm. "HRSA is leading the way in growing the behavioral health workforce both by training more providers and by breaking down barriers to allow the workforce to make mental health and substance use disorder services more accessible across the country."
 

Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.