Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Scathing Report on Prison Doctors (California)Los Angeles Times story - "Incompetent doctors, including some with a history of substance abuse or mental health problems, have been hired by California's prison system and have contributed to serious deficiencies in healthcare for inmates, according to a federal court report released Tuesday. At one facility, half of the eight doctors had prior criminal charges, loss of privileges at community hospitals or mental health problems, the panel said. At another, seven of 20 doctors had similar problems. ... A panel of two doctors and a nurse practitioner conducted reviews of medical treatment at about half a dozen of the state's 32 prisons. They concluded in a July 16 letter to the judge that the department had hired many incompetent doctors with a history of problems, then failed to monitor them, putting inmates at serious risk of injury or death." [Viewing
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Mentally ill have new home in city (Ohio)Story in the
News Journal (Mansfield OH) - "Dalton Place, a 12-bed apartment for people recovering from mental illness, was dedicated Tuesday in honor of a man described as a 'compassionate warrior' for people in need. ... Dalton helped advocate for mentally ill people and their families at the local and state level. At dedication ceremonies, Dalton noted Mansfield has housing for 96 mentally ill people. The new facility, which is nearly finished, is 'a community blessing,' he said. Dr. Michael Hogan, director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health, which provided 60 percent of the funds to build the apartment complex, said Dalton has worked hard on behalf of people with mental illness. "
Children's issues may slow TennCare cuts (Tennessee)Story in
The Tennessean - " Gov. Phil Bredesen intends to make public in the next 10 days details of his cost-saving changes to TennCare, but a January implementation date could get delayed. Already, the state is about two months off schedule in filing the plan with the federal government. It is now likely to happen in mid-September, and legal developments this week could cause further delay. ... On Monday, U.S. District Judge John Nixon surprised the state and the Justice Center when he said he would like to see the case move forward, with a 'special master' writing a compromise plan. Richard Carter was appointed special master three years ago. The special master's plan could, among other things, make sure that children on TennCare with mental health problems have immediate and accessible treatment, one of the ongoing shortcomings of TennCare, Johnson said."
State faulted on care for children (Virginia)Richmond Times-Dispatch story - "Virginia does a poor job of caring for seriously disturbed children and teenagers, especially those who end up in the state's juvenile courts and detention centers, a report says. A state mental-health work group found that Virginia spends too little on helping youths with mental illness or serious emotional problems - an estimated 62,000 children and teenagers. The group said there is little help for those who are struggling with more than one problem - a combination of mental illness and substance abuse or retardation and behavior disorders, for instance."
Gallatin commissioners pledge $1 million for mental health center (Montana)Billings Gazette story - "Gallatin County commissioners have pledged $1 million toward a mental health crisis care facility in Bozeman. The county also plans to provide funds for operating costs, said Randy Kuyath, county chief administrative officer. The money has been included in next year's budget request, which has not yet been approved, he said. Bozeman Deaconess Hospital has offered to lease five acres of land for the mental health campus near the hospital, said Cheryl Ridgely, a hospital spokeswoman..."
