Friday, March 25, 2005

Mental health centers debated (Maryland) Delmarva Daily Times story - "A new law that would open wider the doors to Maryland's state-run mental health centers was both praised and disparaged in Annapolis on Wednesday. The legislation has the backing of several Eastern Shore lawmakers. If signed into law, it would give families of developmentally disabled people more leeway to place them in residential institutions like Salisbury's Holly Center. There are an estimated 7,600 people in Maryland waiting to be placed into sought-after smaller group homes and other treatment centers. The state, citing U.S. Supreme Court rulings that counsel against institutionalization most of the time, has for years been reluctant to place patients in the four state-run facilities still in operation."  
  

Treatment for mental health disorders inundated with obstacles (Pennsylvania) Allentown Times story following one family's involvement in mental health treatments and services - "Whether it's insurance coverage or the type of treatment necessary for a certain disorders, local health professionals have expressed difficulty with connecting those who suffer from a mental disorder, with the treatment they need. Many of the professionals interviewed for this story pointed to the medical community's division of healthcare into mental and physical categories as a starting point for treatment difficulties. ... 'The fact that mental health benefits tend to be minimal in private insurance plans is a national problem," said Sue Miosi, Lehigh County's mental health administrator. "National and regional organizations have been working on it for years, without success I might add.' "  
  

Senate passes parity in mental health coverage (Oregon) Register-Guard editorial - "There will come a time when people will shake their heads in disbelief upon hearing that mental health was once considered less important than physical health. The Oregon Senate did its part to hasten that day with a bipartisan vote Monday that requires insurers to cover mental illness and substance abuse the same way they cover physical ailments. With five Republicans joining all 18 Democrats, the Senate voted 23-6 to send Oregonians an overdue signal that the stigmatizing disparity in insurance coverage must be eliminated. Now it's up to the Republican-dominated House to follow suit, allowing Oregon to become the 35th state that requires some form of parity between mental health and physical health coverage. The bill faces a hard road in the House, where powerful opponents in the insurance industry and the business lobby will do their best to damn the measure with faint praise..."  
  

Codey expects new era in mental health care (New Jersey) Star-Ledger story - "Acting Gov. Richard Codey said yesterday a task force report he will receive next week promises to mark a 'fundamental turning point' in the state's mental health system. The task force, which Codey established immediately after becoming governor, held its last meeting yesterday at Seton Hall University, where Codey hosted a 'Mental Health Summit.' At the event, people who suffer from mental illness shared their personal stories and views on how the state can improve the system..." See also, at Newsday, Liens dropped for hospital psych patients - "Patients who are hospitalized at state or county psychiatric facilities will be shielded from liens on their personal assets under a measure signed into law Thursday. Acting Governor Richard J. Codey signed the law during the state's first Mental Health Summit, held at Seton Hall University. ..."