Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Bringing New Medications to the Treatment of Addiction Article in the May
Psychiatric Times - "Substance abuse and addiction are among the most challenging health problems facing our society. Breakthrough discoveries in science continue to refine our understanding of drug abuse and addiction and are yielding new opportunities to translate basic research findings into tangible treatment products. Read about the progress being made by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the world's largest supporter of research on the health aspects of addiction."
The Mental Health Care Parity Debate Continues Article in the May
Psychiatric Times - "Proponents of mental health care parity have reintroduced the legislation that died in the U.S. House of Representatives last year. While the idea of parity has broad bipartisan support, the debate continues over how much it will cost, who will foot the bill, and how it should best be administered. In a time of war and tight budgets, will the bill get the attention it deserves?"
Compensation Levels Hold Steady, but Future Uncertain Article in the May
Psychiatric Times - "What does the state of psychiatry look like? Surveys have been conducted and data have been broken down into compensation levels, specialties, service costs and insurance coverage. Finally enough data exist to give an overall view of where most psychiatrists stand today in the medical workforce."
Gender, Ethnicity Influence Willingness to Disclose Psychosocial Information Reuters Health story at
Medscape - "Gender and ethnicity can play a large role in the type of sensitive information a mother will reveal to a new pediatrician, according to a report published in the May issue of the
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine....The findings indicate that new doctors may benefit from specialized training about how to listen more intently during meetings with patients and how to provide an environment that will encourage openness and trust..." [Viewing
Medscape resources rquires registration, which is free].
Personality Disorders Can Be Diagnosed in Adolescents Medscape Medical News article - "Personality disorders exist and can be diagnosed in adolescents, according to the results of a study published in the May issue of the
American Journal of Psychiatry. The investigators suggest that the system developed for adults may not be optimal, and that perhaps a new system based on adolescent samples should be developed." [Viewing
Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].
Blair pledges 'NHS for today's world' (UK) Story at the
Guardian - "The prime minister, Tony Blair, today reaffirmed his commitment to pushing through his controversial programme of NHS reform, signalling a greater role for the private sector and more choice for patients."
Medicaid: Fiscal Challenges to Coverage This brief Kaiser Family Foundation policy analysis (in
Adobe Acrobat format) outlines key points about the current state fiscal crisis and its impact on Medicaid's health coverage role.
State Impact Analysis Reports: Effects of the 2004 Congressional Budget Resolution From the Institute for America's Future web site - "The Federal government budget resolution for fiscal year 2004, which passed Congress on April 11, 2003 by a single vote on a near party-line margin, would cut hundreds of millions of dollars in vital federal funds over the next 10 years. These budget cuts are driven by massive new tax breaks advanced by the Bush administration and Republican Congressional leaders, which will primarily benefit our nations wealthiest citizens..." The page includes a link to an index of related press stories and state-by-state reports on the impact of federal budget cuts.
Preventive mental health services save lives and funds (Florida) Guest column in the
Herald Tribune by Jeffrey C. Anglin, a psychotherapist and executive director of the Family Emergency Treatment Center on mental health issues and the Florida legislature - "We all know prevention is a good idea, for our cars and our bodies and our state. So why are we so reluctant to heed this simple maxim?"
Louisiana lawmakers look at mental health cuts proposed for 2004 AP story at
NewsFlash - "A proposal to shut down most of the services offered by the Southeast Louisiana Hospital in Mandeville would push out dozens of residents and force 450 people out of jobs. But lawmakers said Monday it's unclear if the proposal for the 2003-04 budget year would save money or if the residents and others who depend on the services would have anywhere to go."
Mental Health: Parity law would improve disgraceful level of care (Michigan) Editorial in the
Detroit Free Press - "State lawmakers have repeatedly and disgracefully shied away from insisting that the level of medical care for mental illnesses be held to the same standard as treatment for physical diseases and injuries. The Legislature has a chance to redeem itself this year, with state Sen. Beverly Hammerstrom, R-Temperance, carefully building the case."
