Tuesday, September 10, 2002

US Steps Up Scrutiny of Health Insurers
Reuters story on comments by a Justice Department official that U.S. antitrust regulators "are stepping up scrutiny of health insurers, concerned that competition in the industry may have been crimped by a recent wave of mergers," and that health insurance companies have become an "area of primary concern" to the department's antitrust division.  
  

Preparing For Sept. 11 Memories And Reactions
A Hartford Courant story on the anticipated impact of media attention to the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington, which notes that in Connecticut, "state mental health officials are preparing to handle calls about psychological reactions including sleeplessness, anger and difficulty handling day-to-day activities. Several state agencies are working together to handle a possible influx of calls this week, and officials said citizens of varying age groups should be counseled differently." For a sampling of the many related stories, see Sept. 11: US changed psychologically (UPI), Mental health experts wary of anniversary (Daily Press, California), Schools' plans to observe 9/11 spark debate (Boston Globe), How Brain, and Spirit, Adapt to a 9/11 World (New York Times - registration required, but free) and the special section of this month's APA Monitor, Sept. 11: A year later, first noted here last Friday.  
  

Insurer limits children's drugs (California)
Fresnbo Bee story on Blue Cross of California - "For nearly a year, one of California's largest health plans, concerned about the growing use of psychiatric drugs in preschoolers, has been informing pediatricians that it will block their youngest patients' access to anti-psychotics without a visit to a specialist."  
  

Budget ax expected to strike (California)
Mercury News story - "More spending cuts are expected today in Santa Clara County, where supervisors will vote to slash an additional $17.4 million from the county budget....", including job cuts for social workers serving the mentally ill and abused and neglected children.  
  

Urgent care for mental health takes pressure off hospital (Minnesota)
Minnesota Star Tribune story on the Diagnostic Evaluation Center, an urgent care program designed by Behavioral Healthcare Providers that provides an immediate psychological evaluation at the Fairview-University Medical Center ER in Minneapolis and also helps those who need outpatient care "navigate a disjointed mental health system."  
  

New mental health clinic to bring services under one roof (South Carolina)
Camden Chronicle Independent story on the Kershaw County Mental Health Clinic, expected to be completed by August 2003, which will "have four quadrants which will house the four divisions of the mental health department: children`s services, living skills, adult services and administration."