Thursday, April 03, 2003
Focus on Paroxetine An article in
Current Medical Research and Opinion at
Medscape based on
Medline and
PsycLit searches and a manual search of the available research literature that "aims to cover the pharmacology of this frequently prescribed SSRI antidepressant in terms of its indications, efficacy and adverse effects." [Viewing
Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].
Supreme Court Sides With States on HMOs Washington Post story - "In a blow to the managed health care industry, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously yesterday that states have a right to force health maintenance organizations and other health care networks to open themselves to all doctors, hospitals and other providers who agree to abide by their terms. The ruling upholding Kentucky's so-called any willing provider (AWP) law struck directly at the economic linchpin of HMOs, which attempt to hold down health-care costs by creating limited networks of providers that are willing to accept lower fees in return for a higher volume of business generated by HMOs. But there was disagreement over the practical effect it would have on the health care system."
Ending Chronic Homelessness, Strategies for Action From HHS, a "comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring the department's resources are focused on reducing and ultimately ending chronic homelessness. The new initiative,
Ending Chronic Homelessness: Strategies for Action, was developed specifically to address the growing need for an integrated network of support systems for chronically homeless persons -- those that have a disabling condition and who experience frequent or extended periods in the homeless assistance system." See the related
HHS press release for details.
Experts back changes to preferred drug plan (South Carolina) Story at
The State - "Physicians and advocates for the mentally ill spoke Wednesday in favor of legislation to exempt Medicaid recipients from getting prior physician approval for medications not on the state's preferred drug list. Experts testifying before the state Senate's medical affairs committee said limiting access to medication for people with mental illnesses could be dangerous to the patient and potentially costly to the community. A vote is expected next week."
Honor goes to psychology prof Story in
The Davis Enterprise at the University of California - Davis on professor Stanley Sue, this year's recipient of the UCD Prize for Undergraduate Teaching and Scholarly Achievement - "Sue is considered a pioneer in teaching therapists how to deal effectively with cultural differences and ethnic groups to overcome the stigma of mental health problems."
Remember psychiatric patient's civil rights (Washington) Opinion column by psychiatrist Thomas Szasz ib the
Seattle Post Intelligencer - "The Washington Legislature is considering two bills that ostensibly deal with psychiatric advance directives. I say 'ostensibly' because these bills, and all others like them, are reaffirmations of the mental patient's status as de jure medical patient and de facto psychiatric slave..." See also the opinion piece by one of the legislators who sponsored one of the bills being considered,
Those afflicted by mental illness need new legal tool.
Mental health care legislation passes both houses (Maryland) Story in the
Star Democrat - "Mental health care legislation has passed through both houses of the Maryland General Assembly.... House Bill 25 creates a task force to study access to mental health services. An amendment added the study of wages for health care providers to the other issues to be examined. The companion bill - Senate Bill 252 - passed the Senate with the amendments."
