Monday, March 03, 2003

Legislators wary of mental health cuts (Maine)
Press Herald story - "The deep cuts proposed in mental health services for some children are out of proportion with the rest of Gov. John Baldacci's budget and should be looked at carefully, several state legislators said Friday. Sen. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said he and other committee members want to find enough money to at least save the basics of programs that Baldacci proposes eliminating altogether."  
  

Mental-health parity bill named after Wellstone
Minneapolis Star Tribune story - "Calling for an end to discrimination against people with mental illness, Rep. Jim Ramstad, R-Minn., introduced a bill Thursday that would put mental health coverage on a par with treatment for physical conditions. The late Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone championed the cause and, to honor him, the legislation now bears his name."  
  

APA Honors New Mexico State Representative Edward Sandoval for His Commitment to Mental Health Care
PRNewswire story at Yahoo - "The American Psychological Association (APA) awarded New Mexico state legislator Rep. Edward Sandoval its 2003 State Legislator of the Year Award for his strong advocacy of mental health care issues and his leadership in passing state legislation that grants prescriptive authority to appropriately trained psychologists."