Monday, March 03, 2003

Legislators wary of mental health cuts (Maine)
Press Herald story - "The deep cuts proposed in mental health services for some children are out of proportion with the rest of Gov. John Baldacci's budget and should be looked at carefully, several state legislators said Friday. Sen. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said he and other committee members want to find enough money to at least save the basics of programs that Baldacci proposes eliminating altogether."  
  

Mental-health parity bill named after Wellstone
Minneapolis Star Tribune story - "Calling for an end to discrimination against people with mental illness, Rep. Jim Ramstad, R-Minn., introduced a bill Thursday that would put mental health coverage on a par with treatment for physical conditions. The late Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone championed the cause and, to honor him, the legislation now bears his name."  
  

A leader with a passion for change: Sawyer draws praise even from opponents (Alabama)
Tuscaloosa News story - "The first black mental health commissioner in Alabama and one of the few blacks to serve in a gubernatorial cabinet, 49-year-old Kathy Sawyer has been a trailblazer in the state’s desegregation history."  
  

Mental health funding pursued (Texas)
Houston Chronicle story - "U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Saturday pledged to seek $1 million in federal emergency funds to aid Harris County programs that provide care to the mentally ill or mentally retarded poor. Saying the county's mental health care system is 'in a state of crisis,' Lee told reporters that of about 140,000 people needing such care, only about 22,000 are receiving it."  
  

Department of Mental Health: Local agencies may go (Massachusetts)
Metro West Daily News story - "Budget cuts will likely force local agencies to pare mental health services while nearly 30 people in the state's Department of Mental Health continue to pull in six-figure salaries.... Despite the agency's top-heavy payroll, Gov. Mitt Romney this week presented a budget calling for a 3 percent dip in Medicaid reimbursement. Critics this week claimed the cut will force providers to make up the difference by collecting payments from patients who, for the most part, simply do not have the money."  
  

APA Honors New Mexico State Representative Edward Sandoval for His Commitment to Mental Health Care
PRNewswire story at Yahoo - "The American Psychological Association (APA) awarded New Mexico state legislator Rep. Edward Sandoval its 2003 State Legislator of the Year Award for his strong advocacy of mental health care issues and his leadership in passing state legislation that grants prescriptive authority to appropriately trained psychologists."  
  

Insanity Goes Back on Trial
New York Times story on the case the Supreme Court begins hearing today on forced medication. [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].