Wednesday, January 15, 2003

Magellan Considers Chapter 11
Washington Post story - "Magellan Health Services Inc., the nation's largest provider of mental health care, said yesterday that it may file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization to substantially reduce its $1 billion in debt. The Columbia-based company may seek bankruptcy protection if it is not given more time to repay its creditors, according to its annual report, filed yesterday with the Securities and Exchange Commission."  
  

Human Services revamping in works (Vermont)
Story in the Rutland Herald - "As the new Legislature settled in Tuesday to begin its work, some key committees set about tackling an ambitious proposal to overhaul the state’s largest agency. Legislative leaders and the Douglas administration agreed that reorganizing the structure of the Agency of Human Services, including the consolidation of some departments, is on the short list of legislative priorities."  
  

Pitt starts new center for race, social issues (Pennsylvania)
Article in the University of Pittsburgh student newspaper on the University's new Center on Race and Social Problems, which will "examine racial problems in society with regard to how race affects five focus areas: interracial group relations; economic and educational disparities; mental health practices; youth, families, and the elderly; and criminal justice."  
  

Two TennCare providers concern state (Tennessee)
Story in the Tennesean - "The state is stepping up its oversight of the finances of two TennCare companies — the only companies providing mental health services to 1.43 million people in Tennessee. Unless they comply with the state's requirements, Tennessee Behavioral Health and Premier Behavioral Systems won't be allowed to spend any money or make bank withdrawals without written approval, the state Department of Commerce and Insurance confirmed yesterday."  
  

Mental health advocates against combining facilities (North Dakota)
Bismarck Tribune story - "Mental health advocates say that Gov. John Hoeven's plan to further combine a new women's prison with the North Dakota State Hospital isn't what's best for mental health patients."  
  

High hopes for schizophrenia drug (UK)
Brief DeHaviland story on reactions to recent research indicating that clozapine is significantly more effective than olanzapine at cutting suicides.