Thursday, April 28, 2005

In Problem-Solving Court, Judges Turn Therapist New York Times story - "The traditional role of a judge is a stark one: to decide who wins and who loses, who is innocent and who is guilty, who goes to prison and who goes free. Starting about 15 years ago, however, some judges began experimenting with a more active approach, intervening in the lives of drug addicts to get them into treatment and keep them out of overcrowded jails and overburdened courtrooms. Now, in drug treatment courts, judges are cheerleaders and social workers as much as jurists. New York State is pushing this approach to new frontiers, creating a homelessness court, domestic violence courts and mental health courts. Backed by the state's chief judge, and bolstered by the court system's own research, these new courts are, among other things, trying to cut down on the number of people who appear in courtrooms over and over again..." [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

U.S. FDA issues public health advisory for antipsychotic drugs in elderly NewsRx.com story reprinted at PsycPORT - "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public health advisory to alert healthcare providers, patients and patient caregivers to new safety information concerning an unapproved (i.e., 'off-label') use of atypical antipsychotic drugs. These drugs are approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and mania, but clinical studies of these drugs to treat behavioral disorders in elderly patients with dementia have shown a higher death rate associated with their use compared to patients receiving a placebo. The advisory applies to such antipsychotic drugs as Abilify (aripiprazole), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Seroquel (quetiapine), Risperdal (risperidone), Clozaril (clozapine) and Geodon (ziprasidone). Symbyax, which is approved for treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder, is also included in the agency's advisory. "  
  

GOP Wants to Curb Medicaid Estate Planning SF Gate story - "To slow the rapidly growing Medicaid program, some lawmakers would like to make it harder for the elderly to shelter their assets as a way to have the government cover more of their nursing home expenses. GOP members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked state Medicaid directors on Wednesday what they have done to curb 'Medicaid estate planning,' in which assets are transferred so people look poor on paper and thus qualify for Medicaid. Federal law subjects beneficiaries to eligibility delays when assets are transferred at below-market values, but estate planning allows people to evade those rules, lawmakers said at a subcommittee hearing."  
  

On the couch: Mental health USA Today story - "Depression is a bona fide disease that damages body organs — the brain and the heart, for example — not a character-builder that sparks creativity. But many people still harbor romantic, if disproven, illusions about depression, says psychiatrist Peter Kramer. Against Depression, in bookstores May 9, puts this topic under the lens of cutting-edge science. Kramer, a professor at Brown University, catalyzed a debate about antidepressants 12 years ago with his best seller Listening to Prozac..."  
  

Iowa Senate OKs mental health parity bill Seattle Post-Intelligencer story - "The Senate has approved a scaled-back measure requiring insurance companies to offer coverage for mental illnesses in much the same way they cover physical ailments. Without debate, the Senate sent the measure to Gov. Tom Vilsack on Tuesday. Vilsack said he will sign the bill into law. ... Under the measure, businesses which offer health insurance to their workers must include coverage for mental health treatment for diseases that are biologically based. The measure applies to businesses with 50 or more workers."  
  

Codey names new chief for New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Newsday story - "Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey has tapped the person he chose to lead his task force on mental health to serve as director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. Codey announced the appointment of Kimberly S. Ricketts on Wednesday. Ricketts, 38, takes over for the division's acting director, Jeffrey Burstein, who will return to the Attorney General's Office. The division oversees nearly 80 professions and occupations in New Jersey and handles matters ranging from identity theft and telemarketing scams to complaints regarding the purchase, lease and repair of automobiles and home repairs. It fields more than a half-million complaints or inquiries each year."  
  

Frustration grows for patients, staff at mental health center (Wisconsin) Green Bay Press-Gazette story - "While disagreement reigns over what to do with the outdated Brown County Mental Health Center, most involved with the facility agree on this: They’re fed up with seeing nothing done. ... State regulators have given the facility time to comply with code violations as long as the county works toward a long-term solution, county Executive Carol Kelso said. But failure last week to move ahead on renovation could put the county at risk of state fines..."