Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Learning From Prozac: Will New Caution Shift Old Views?An essay in the
New York Times by Tanya Luhrmann,professor at the University of Chicago and the author of
Of Two Minds: An Anthropologist Looks at Modern Psychiatry on last week's FDA public health advisory on antidepressants - ".... Yet even if it turns out that the antidepressants do increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some people, that pales as a public health problem beside the challenge of treating depression in the general population. Most people with serious depression an illness that affects one of 10 Americans at some point never seek treatment. Antidepressants, whatever their side effects, work for many people and have undoubtedly prevented countless suicides. Still, most experts agree that the drugs do not work well enough. Many people improve but do not recover completely. About a third of depressed patients do not respond to any medication at all. In this sense, the drug agency's action may have salutary consequences. Studies have made it increasingly clear that the best treatment for most psychiatric difficulties is a combination of medication and psychotherapy, or at least continuing contact with a mental health professional..." [Viewing
New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].
Health care bill plays down race Story in the
Times-Picayune (New Orleans) - "There is little dispute that when it comes to health, race matters. A bookshelf full of studies has shown that African-Americans, Hispanics and American Indians get sicker and die sooner than white people. A landmark scientific report in 2002 found that they also receive worse health care, sometimes because of doctors' prejudices. But legislation that the Republican Senate leadership says is a top priority diverges from the notion that race is the most important factor separating the sick from the healthy. The bill, sponsored by Majority Leader Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., with Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., as the only Democratic co-sponsor thus far, would make poverty a bigger part of the equation. That could make more poor white people eligible for government assistance..."
Painful cuts loom for Medicaid (Florida)March 29 story in the
St. Petersburg Times on proposals by Gov. Jeb Bush of "a far more radical idea" than tightening eligibility and the scope of optional services - "...a spending cap that would mean some poor people could be left without medical care. The governor has dispatched state health officials to Washington, D.C., to talk to federal Medicaid administrators about making Florida a pilot program for reengineering Medicaid, which is straining state budgets across the nation. The plan would allow Florida to keep Medicaid programs while serving fewer people...."
Critics: County policy may deter people seeking mental health treatments (Wisconsin)Story at
The Bee - "A controversial revision of the county's fee policy for mental health services has some wondering whether it is discouraging people from using the services at all. Representatives of the not-for-profit Counseling and Development Center (CDC) - the lone mental-health services contractor for the Price County Human Services Department (PCHSD) - testified March 25 that the 'repayment agreement' policy has failed on several fronts, most notably in advocacy for a 'vulnerable population'... "
Cassia mental health examiner reports initial success (Idaho)Times-News story - "Two months after its inception, Cassia County's new mental health strategy seems to be working. At the beginning of February, county officials contracted with clinical psychologist Dr. Brek Pilling as the county's mental health examiner in an effort to reduce costs and improve care. Since then he has seen 11 patients, none of whom has required commitment to Canyon View Psychiatric and Addiction Services in Twin Falls..."
Mental health advocates concerned about putting services in HMOs (Florida)AP story at the
Miami Herald - "Advocates for people with mental illnesses are concerned about a provision in companion legislation to the budget that would require Medicaid patients to get mental health care through health maintenance organizations. A measure passed last year was meant to bring mental health and substance abuse providers that serve Medicaid patients into a network to pool costs and save the state money ... But language put in the implementing bill that goes along with the this year's proposed budget would require that other mental health services - such as outpatient counseling, day treatment and some in-home therapy for children - would be taken care of by HMOs...."
Hundreds rally for mental health at state Capitol (Mississippi)Story in the
Hattiesburg American - "In one of the largest single-issue gatherings at the Capitol this year, nearly 800 people filled the first floor rotunda to demand that legislators find money to open mental health crisis centers. Some supporters who couldn't fit on the first floor looked down from the second. With people packed tightly together, many waved black-and-white handheld fans with the slogan, 'Treatment Not Jail.'"
Mental Health Advocates See 'Looming Disaster' (Vermont)WPTZ story - "Mental health advocates are calling planned cuts to jobs and services a 'looming disaster.' Social service providers say reductions in the state budget will mean everyone across the state will pay a price in reduced services. ... The governor has proposed a 1 percent increase in funding for mental health, developmental and substance abuse services. But the people providing those services said they need 5 percent more just to keep up with demand..."
Mental health system at risk (Maine)Times-Record story on Gov. John Baldacci's proposed cuts to Medicaid and the Department of Human Services. If enacted, the story notes, "thousands of mentally ill people in Maine" could be "left without the care they say they need" - "Lee Umphrey, spokesman for the governor, said the administration and the Legislature are looking for ways to 'soften' the cuts in the short term, but he added that spending in virtually all state departments must be reined in significantly to close a $900 million gap in the next budget cycle."
