Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Mental Health Care Emergency Looms, Northern Virginia Officials Warn
Washington Post story - "Four psychiatric wards in Northern Virginia have closed recently or will be shut down soon, eliminating 100 beds and threatening to create a mental health care crisis, health officials say. The closures at four suburban hospitals are the result of national trends in health care economics, but the fallout could mean longer waits in emergency rooms, more mentally ill patients in jails and fewer options for very troubled -- and occasionally dangerous -- people, mental health advocates say." [Viewing Washington Post stories requires registration, which is free.]