Many practicing psychologists are not aware of the relationship between our professional organizations and the legislative and regulatory process. You might think of this article as an abbreviated "citizen psychologist" primer.

Our local chapter, the Alameda County Psychological Association (ACPA), is one of numerous county or regional associations throughout the State. Each of these local associations sends one representative to the Board of the California Psychological Association (CPA) and one to CPA's Governmental Affairs Council. CPA maintains a legislative staff including a Director of Government Affairs, a Government & Community Affairs Specialist, and a Director of Professional Affairs.

In addition, the CPA maintains a contract with a lobbyist in Sacramento who is an expert in health and mental health legislative matters. The Governmental Affairs Council is made up of representatives from each of the local chapters. There are also two appointed Federal Advocacy Coordinators (FACs) who are part of the GAC. The Federal Advocacy Coordinators act as liaisons between CPA and APA and they monitor and disseminate information about relevant legislation out of Washington, DC.

The GAC and FAC representatives are responsible for making sure that legislators in Sacramento and Washington here the opinions and positions of their constituent psychologists on particular bills or regulatory actions. For example, one of the recent accomplishments of CPA was to lobby the State Legislature not to cut Medi-Cal provider fees for psychologists. Through professional lobbying by our paid staff and through the efforts of grassroots activities by our GAC representatives, legislators throughout the State were aided in seeing the detriment to the populace by such drastic cuts and were persuaded not to eliminate these fees.

This is, of course, just one example of the kind of legislative activity that the GAC and the CPA staff are supporting. In other examples, we have fought against unfair managed care practices, made headway in providing psychologists with hospital release privileges including liability immunities, and we are battling successfully for psychologists who work in hospitals to have full privileges in writing treatment plans.

In addition to the GAC, there is also a Political Action Committee (CPA-PAC). The CPA-PAC is a membership organization involved in political giving. Locally, ACPA was central in raising nearly $6,000 for our State Senator Liz Figueroa (southern end of Alameda County) who is a great supporter of pro-psychology legislation and who will be running for Lieutenant Governor. This is possibly one of the most successful fundraisers ever sponsored by local associations and supported by contributions from the CPA-PAC. We have also been very active in supporting Assemblywoman Loni Hancock. The CPA-PAC also helps to sponsor local fundraisers and our chapter holds periodic meet and greet events such as this past Spring, when ACPA's annual barbecue featured a visit from and chat with Assemblywoman Hancock and Berkeley Mayor, Tom Bates.

Together, these groups function effectively to promote psychology and the legislation that serves the best interest of psychology consumers and patients throughout the State. I hope this brief description begins to demystify the process of legislative influence we assert as an organized profession. As a member of the Alameda County Psychological Association you will be kept informed about important legislative and regulatory issues that effect your profession. You will also know, that by joining the chapter, you are directly supporting your profession and protecting your practice. Please feel free to contact me at gnewman@wrightinst.edu or 510-841-9230 x110 if you would like to become involved in governmental affairs, the political action committee or if you would simply like more information.