Wednesday, March 31, 2004

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..."  
  

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 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."