Thursday, February 24, 2005

Substance Use and Need for Treatment Among Youths Who Have Been in Foster Care Page at the OAS web site with links to HTML and Acrobat versions of a report based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health - "Youths from substance-abusing families frequently have serious emotional and behavioral problems, including a tendency to choose risky behavior, such as alcohol or other drug use. Substance abuse is a factor in at least three quarters of all foster care placements, and recent studies indicate high rates of lifetime substance use and substance use disorders for youths in the foster care system.1,2 The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) asks youths aged 12 to 17 if they ever stayed in foster care.3 This report looks at the need for and receipt of substance abuse treatment among youths who have been in foster care. All estimates are annual averages based on combined 2002 and 2003 NSDUH data..."  
  

U.S. Health Spending Projections For 2004–2014Article in Health Affairs - "National health spending growth is anticipated to remain stable at just over 7.0 percent through 2006, the result of diverging public- and private-sector spending trends. The faster public-sector spending growth is exemplified by the introduction of the new Medicare drug benefit in 2006. While this benefit is anticipated to have only a minor impact on overall health spending, it will result in a significant shift in funding from private payers and Medicaid to Medicare. By 2014, total health spending is projected to constitute 18.7 percent of gross domestic product, from 15.3 percent in 2003." The article is also available in Adobe Acrobat format.  
  

Mental-health outpatient program faces budget cuts Journal-News story - "Ten hospitals in the area that run mental-health outpatient programs stand to lose $8 million in funding under Gov. George Pataki's proposed state budget. Summit Park Hospital and Nursing Care Center in Ramapo and St. Joseph's Hospital in Yonkers are among those that could be affected. Pataki has called for cutting $2 million from a state Medicaid program that reimburses hospitals at a higher rate to operate structured day-treatment programs. The federal government pitches in an additional $6 million in matching funds."  
  

Nation's Leading Mental Health Groups Warn Against Relying Solely on Effectiveness Research NMHA press release - "The American Psychiatric Association, NAMI and the National Mental Health Association welcome the dialogue on 'effectiveness research' and its impact on consumers at AARP's 'Rx Watchdog Forum' today. However, we warn against using only these research reviews, such as those promoted by the Oregon Center for Evidence-based Policy, in developing public policies that drive access to treatments, including medications. Research is an important component of any evidence-based approach to treating chronic illnesses, such as mental disorders. However, true evidence-based approaches marry all available and appropriate scientific research with clinical experience to ensure treatments lead to the best possible outcomes. Implementing public polices based on only one of these elements without the other is not an evidence-based approach. Moreover, using a narrow definition of evidence-base simply to rationalize budgetary objectives not only threatens patient health, but will ultimately cost taxpayers more..."  
  

Mental health authority may still be an option (Michigan) Plymouth Observer story - "The proposal to replace the Detroit-Wayne Community County Mental Health Agency county board with an independent authority is still a possibility, according to the agency's new 'transitional director.' Gov. Jennifer Granholm vetoed legislation in December to replace Wayne County oversight and the agency's 12-member board with an independent authority. Under the legislation, the county executive and the mayor of Detroit would still appoint six members each to an authority board, but funding would go directly through the authority rather than through Wayne County. "  
  

State health chief retiring amid problems (Arizona) Arizona Republic story - "Facing fire over the state's handling of mental health services, Arizona Department of Health Services Director Catherine Eden is stepping down. She is retiring at the end of this legislative session. The Governor's Office plans a national search for her replacement. Eden, 55, lately has faced a double dose of problems with the department's mental health programs, which accounts for the largest portion of the department's budget. A damaging audit showed that despite $230 million in extra funding, parts of the Valley's mental health program are in worse shape than four years ago. Secondly, the state's mental hospital, Arizona State Hospital, has failed two separate federal investigations."