Column: Everyone deserves access to prescriptive mental health care
Feb 23, 2026
It is no secret that Hawaii faces a critical shortage of mental health professionals, especially in rural and Native Hawaiian communities. Fortunately, legislators have an opportunity to grant trained psychologists limited prescriptive authority to address this gap via Senate Bill 847. This approach
is evidence-based and aligns with practices in federal systems and seven other states, where it has improved access and reduced suicide rates. ...read more read less