Mental Health Recognition

HB-2093, Cortez/Oliverson (Re-File from 86th-Cortez)

In the Texas Mental Health and Safety Code, PAs are not included in the list of “non- physician mental health professionals.” PAs provide direct patient care and have delegated prescriptive authority to treat mental illness in a variety of specialties. Many PAs prescribe medications to treat anxiety or depression; however, not having formal recognition has created issues with reimbursement for the care performed. In turn, private physician offices and healthcare entities fail to hire physician assistants to work in mental health. Across the state, this decreases the number of available providers to serve the mental health needs of Texas.