Often, I think psychology shows itself on the Hill advocating for policies related to the economic benefit of psychologists. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact, psychology should do more of that rather than less. Legislation has been drafted that has left psychologists out, and we've managed to get psychology put in before it was introduced. Legislation has been drafted that failed to appreciate the subtleties of licensure laws, and we've addressed that. Secondly, it really does help when psychologists meet with their congressional representative on the Hill or through visits in their districts and town meetings.
Personal contacts are vastly superior to letters.
I'd like to see psychology remain engaged in mental health parity and the Patients' Bill of Rights. Securing psychology graduate training funding through the Graduate Medical Education program is also important, and I think we are going to have a positive resolution there in getting Medicare reimbursement for psychology trainees. I'd also like to see us move beyond mental health issues and be an equal advocate for prescription drug benefits and affordable, comprehensive health care for all citizens. Our profession has very well thought out humanistic ethical principles, which protect the people we work with and advocate for antidiscrimination policies that emphasize inclusion and tolerance. The most front-burner pieces of legislation right now are parity and Patients' Bill of Rights.