Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Cuts in mental health studied (Missouri) Joplin Globe story - "Thousands of area residents could no longer get treatment for psychiatric, alcohol and drug problems, spokeswomen for two local service providers said Monday, if state lawmakers approve cutbacks in mental-health spending that have been proposed by Gov. Matt Blunt. Proposed funding cuts for the Missouri Department of Mental Health were reviewed Monday by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The cuts would translate to a loss of 'essential services in mental-illness and substance-abuse programs,' said Paula Baker, chief executive officer of Ozark Center. She said the cuts would increase state costs later, when many people ended up in local hospitals or jails."  
  

Pennsylvanians can now prepare advance mental health directives Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story - "A new state law gives Pennsylvania residents authority to prepare the documents, known as mental health or psychiatric advance directives. The documents enable adults to appoint a representative to make mental health care decisions on their behalf and to make known their preferences about treatment options. The directives take effect under circumstances specified in the documents or when a psychiatrist and another treatment professional determine that someone is incapable of making mental health care decisions."