“You Can Observe A Lot By Watching”
I have been extremely fortunate to have attended almost all of the annual APA State Leadership conferences which are definitely one of the highlights of the year. Katherine Nordal keeps raising critical issues which hopefully our State Associations appreciate and follow through on. There can be no question that psychology must enthusiastically embrace its role as a health care profession, especially with the enactment of President Obama’s landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Unprecedented change is occurring which will require psychology to develop interprofessional skills, capitalize upon the continuing advances within the communications and technology fields, and develop data-based mental/behavioral health “best practice” protocols of care.
At this year’s conference, David Ballard celebrated 10 years of Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award presentations where the best of business acumen has been recognized. Health care represents a major element of our nation’s economy, estimated to be 18% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and steadily growing. As a nation we spend more on health care per person than any other country, without the expected quality outcomes. In fact, Art Kellerman, formerly with the RAND Corporation and now Dean of America’s Medical School at USUHS, tweets: “U.S. healthcare system wastes more $$ each year on inefficient/inappropriate care than we annually spend on defense.” Working closely with, and thereby educating, business leaders is definitely in the profession’s interest.
Nursing has taken a visionary and very creative approach to this critical challenge. With more than three million members, nursing represents the largest of the health care professions. Several of their national organizations, including the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), have recently undertaken strategic campaigns to place their members on major policy boards at the federal and state level, as well as on those of relevant organizations, for example, on hospital Boards of Directors. Their goal – 10,000 appointments by 2020. They definitely will bring a distinctive and most positive perspective to critical policy deliberations. The AAN effort is chaired by Angelia McBride, a fellow Purdue University graduate. She is one of a number of nurse-psychologists who belong to APA, including former President Carol Goodheart. We would rhetorically ask: “Whether our State Associations have capitalized upon this valuable resource within their own membership?”
Barry Anton, our 2015 President, is himself a veteran and was an inspiration for the next generation when he graciously addressed our health policy seminar at USUHS earlier this year. During the Toronto convention, Barry found the time in his extraordinarily busy schedule to join with Tom DeMaio in presenting the prestigious Karl F. Heiser Advocacy Awards. Former President Ron Fox, grandfather of the RxP movement, served in the National Guard. We again wonder: “How many of our State Association Presidents have personally served in the Armed Forces or the National Guard?” Their views would be very informative in responding to the ongoing debate surrounding the Hoffman Report. “Yogi” Berra, Baseball Hall of Fame. Aloha,
Pat DeLeon, former APA President – Division 31 – September, 2015
