Thursday, September 05, 2002

Medicaid crisis may yet descend on state (Alabama)
Mobile Register editorial on efforts to avoid "a Medicaid funding disaster." The editorial states that state officials have "acted irresponsibly" by relying on federal help rather resolving the problem themselves.  
  

State plans to merge mental health centers (Georgia)
Macon Telegraph story - "A plan to merge many of Georgia's community mental health offices - including those in Macon and Warner Robins - is drawing fire from a powerful lawmaker and others who question whether it may further damage a system that is already strained."  
  

Mental health agencies want to merge (Michigan)
Traverse City Record-Eagle on the decision by the board of the "financially troubled" Antrim-Kalkaska Community Mental Health agency to merge with neighboring Northern Michigan Community Mental Health, which represents Emmet, Charlevoix, Otsego and Cheboygan counties.  
  

Flint: Mental health patient changes planned at Hurley (Michigan)
Flint Journal story on plans for additional space and personnel that will make it possible for mental health services consumers to move more quickly through the Hurley Medical Center emergency department.  
  

Sears pulls T-shirts after mental health complaints
Story at i-Won on the decision by Sears to stop selling a line of T-shirts after complaints from customers and mental health advocates who said the slogans on them make fun of the mentally ill. The decision earned the praise of NAMI, which also urged Wal-Mart, Kmart, Kohl's Corp. and Target to stop selling the T-shirts "and similar merchandise 'mocking mental illness' or risk facing potential legal liability under federal or state anti-discrimination laws."  
  

Green Acres board: $10 million needed to renovate or replace facility (Missouri)
St. Joseph News-Press story on new estimates of the cost to repair and renovate or replace the county-owned Green Acres Residential Care Facility, which provides care for the county’s senior citizens, indigent and some mental-health patients.  
  

Campaign assists traumatized Virginians
Washington Times story - "The state has begun a television and radio ad campaign in Northern Virginia to remind people of mental health services available to those who experience stress, flashbacks or other emotional reactions as the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks approaches."  
  

Plans for spending $2.4 million on prisons (Alabama)
Tuscaloosa News story on the state's proposals for spending $2.4 million from the sale of prison land at Atmore, which include funding for mental health and drug and alcohol treatment services.