Our Health Policy Matters

In 2009, there were 36,891 suicides in the United States, according to the CDC .  This translates to a rate of 11.9 for every 100,000 people. And rates among certain groups were even higher.  For example, the suicide rate among veterans, according to the Veterans Administration, was three times higher – or 35.9 per 100,000 veterans. Suicide is a problem that ought to command our attention. And it does.  For many years we have used suicide data as surrogates for documenting the consequences of serious mental illness.  We all know that the “danger to self” standard we use for determining when people with mental illness qualify for emergency care is, in effect, a “suicide may be imminent” standard. As a result, for many years community mental health organizations have also been asked to track suicides as a measure of the effectiveness of their programming.  But there are reasons why focusing on suicide rates too closely leads to inadequa...

In 2009, there were 36,891 suicides in the United States, according to the CDC .  This translates to a rate of 11.9 for every 100,000 people. And rates among certain groups were even higher.  For example, the suicide rate among veterans, according to the Veterans Administration, was three times higher – or 35.9 per 100,000 veterans. Suicide is a problem that ought to command our attention. And it does.  For many years we have used suicide data as surrogates for documenting the consequences of serious mental illness.  We all know that the “danger to self” standard we use for determining when people with mental illness qualify for emergency care is, in effect, a “suicide may be imminent” standard. As a result, for many years community mental health organizations have also been asked to track suicides as a measure of the effectiveness of their programming.  But there are reasons why focusing on suicide rates too closely leads to inadequa...

Should all school children be screened for mental health? The evidence suggests that if we do not screen them, then we will be continuing a persistent and historical pattern of neglecting the mental health needs of our children.  But why let evidence get in the way of fear? Over the past several months, legislators in a number of states have considering mandating – or at least offering – mental health screening for all children, either in the schools or in pediatricians’ offices.  But when the Connecticut Legislature had a public hearing on a mental health screening bill recently, opponents came out in force .  One parent called mandatory screening an “unnecessary invasion.”  The Connecticut Civil Liberties Union argued that mental health screenings should be optional.  A treatment provider asserted that the problem wasn’t with a lack of assessment, but the lack of treatment options. And in recent days, a Palm Beach Post writer in Flor...

Should all school children be screened for mental health? The evidence suggests that if we do not screen them, then we will be continuing a persistent and historical pattern of neglecting the mental health needs of our children.  But why let evidence get in the way of fear? Over the past several months, legislators in a number of states have considering mandating – or at least offering – mental health screening for all children, either in the schools or in pediatricians’ offices.  But when the Connecticut Legislature had a public hearing on a mental health screening bill recently, opponents came out in force .  One parent called mandatory screening an “unnecessary invasion.”  The Connecticut Civil Liberties Union argued that mental health screenings should be optional.  A treatment provider asserted that the problem wasn’t with a lack of assessment, but the lack of treatment options. And in recent days, a Palm Beach Post writer in Flor...

Policymakers across the country have declared war on health.   You may have missed the headline, but this is a war with many casualties. Its objective is to topple health care as we know it.   When health care falls, our health will be the victim. Battles are raging in many states to cut the legs out from under health care financing. The Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to eliminate the Medicaid program.   This would make 1.3 million people uninsured and cost the state $7.5 billion in federal funding.   A Florida Senate leader has threatened to eliminate Medicaid unless the federal government agrees to massive changes.   This would cost Florida over $10 billion, and make 3 million people uninsured. Wisconsin’s Governor has proposed dropping over 60,000 people from Medicaid because they are too rich.   “Too rich” means a two-person household income of less than $29,100.       Medicaid isn’t the only target.  ...

Policymakers across the country have declared war on health.   You may have missed the headline, but this is a war with many casualties. Its objective is to topple health care as we know it.   When health care falls, our health will be the victim. Battles are raging in many states to cut the legs out from under health care financing. The Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to eliminate the Medicaid program.   This would make 1.3 million people uninsured and cost the state $7.5 billion in federal funding.   A Florida Senate leader has threatened to eliminate Medicaid unless the federal government agrees to massive changes.   This would cost Florida over $10 billion, and make 3 million people uninsured. Wisconsin’s Governor has proposed dropping over 60,000 people from Medicaid because they are too rich.   “Too rich” means a two-person household income of less than $29,100.       Medicaid isn’t the only target.  ...