II 109th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 70 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 24, 2005 Mr. Inouye introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the restriction that a clinical psychologist or clinical social worker provide services in a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility to a patient only under the care of a physician.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Autonomy for Psychologists and Social Workers Act of 2005.

2.

Removal of restriction that a clinical psychologist or clinical social worker provide services in a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility to a patient only under the care of a physician

(a)

In general

Section 1861(cc)(2)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(cc)(2)(E)) is amended by striking physician and inserting physician, except that a patient receiving qualified psychologist services (as defined in subsection (ii)) may be under the care of a clinical psychologist with respect to such services to the extent permitted under State law and except that a patient receiving clinical social worker services (as defined in subsection (hh)(2)) may be under the care of a clinical social worker with respect to such services to the extent permitted under State law. (b)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to services provided on or after January 1, 2006.