Wednesday, March 03, 2004

NAMI Joins Senator Bob Dole in Medicare Drug Benefit Information Campaign
PR Newswire press release at Yahoo - "NAMI, The Nation's Voice on Mental Illness, today announced that Director of Federal Legislative Advocacy Andrew Sperling will join former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole on a nationwide speaking tour highlighting the impact of the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit on seniors and people living with disabilities. Dole and Sperling will appear together in Columbus, Ohio, on March 11 to explain improvements in Medicare and to encourage people to enroll to receive its benefits. Visits to other cities are also being planned."  
  

Blumenthal, Milstein launch investigation into mental health (Connecticut)
Story in Newsday - "The state's attorney general and child advocate launched an investigation Wednesday into Connecticut's mental health care system and managed care industry, which they said are 'warehousing' mentally ill children and sometimes worsen their conditions. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said the probe is not criminal in nature but said it may involve illegal activity and could lead to civil lawsuits. One key problem, Child Advocate Jeanne Milstein said, is that the state confines many children in residential treatment facilities _ many of which are out of state _ instead of using community treatment programs. .."