Recent posts
Unlocking the Secrets of PTSD
Mark Thompson @MarkThompson_DC March 26, 2015 Time.com New efforts to understand exactly how posttraumatic stress disorder affects the brain could reshape treatment for military veterans Deep inside a Boston VA hospital, about two miles south of Fenway Park, four gray freezers are set at a constant temperature of –80ºC. The chill protects the precious contents:... read more
By a sizable majority, the House yesterday approved a bill to repeal Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula. Coverage portrays the vote as a rare bipartisan victory for Congress and a win for both House Speaker Boehner and Minority Leader Pelosi. However, the AP(3/27) is reporting this morning that the Senate “has delayed giving final congressional approval... read more
Congress to Repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate
This is not a test. Repeat: This is not a test. Serious movement is underway in Congress to permanently repeal the sustainable growth rate (SGR) before theMarch 31 deadline; repeal legislation, H.R. 1470/S. 810 is expected on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives next week. With so few legislative days left before the deadline,... read more
“It is time to tell everyone who is dealing with a mental health issue in this country that they are not alone and that getting support and treatment isn’t a sign of weakness--it’s a sign of strength,” First Lady Michelle Obama told 500 mental health leaders and advocates at the launch in Washington, D.C., of the “Change Direction”... read more
APA Praises Sens. Grassley, Brown for Bill to Protect Part D Coverage of Needed Mental Health Drugs
APA Praises Sens. Grassley, Brown for Bill to Protect Part D Coverage of Needed Mental Health Drugs ARLINGTON, Va. – Today the American Psychiatric Association (APA) endorsed new Senate legislation that would require Medicare Part D plans to provide robust coverage for six classes of medications, including drugs needed to treat depression and schizophrenia. The... read more
President Obama Signs Key Veterans' Mental Health Law
President Obama Signs Key Veterans' Mental HealthLaw President Barack Obama today signed into law the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act, intended to reduce suicide and improve access to mental health care for veterans. The bill had been passed unanimously by the House and Senate. “Too many of our troops and veterans... read more
As a Marine serving in Iraq, Clay Hunt barely missed being killed by a sniper, yet he faced what proved to be more powerful foes after leaving the corps: depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/us/bill-aimed-at-improving-mental-health-treatment-for-veterans-passes-senate.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=1
deadline for physicians to opt out of new United HealthCare Medi-Cal managed care network
The 30-day window for physicians in San Diego and Sacramento counties wishing to opt out of United Healthcare’s new Medi-Cal managed care network, called United Healthcare Community Plan, is approaching. Affected physicians in these two counties were notified by United Healthcare in December that they are being automatically opted into the Community Plan and rates... read more
Randall Hagar, CPA Government Affairs Director, in the Media
Randall Hagar, advocate for NAMI and CPA Government Affairs Director, was quoted in the Dec 1st issue of TIME magazine on Assisted Outpatient Treatment! https://time.com/3596978/crime-and-treatment/
Happy Thanksgiving
During this time of thanks, we give thanks to you- our loyal members and valued sponsors. Thank you for your continued support and dedication towards improving the mental health system in San Diego.