ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. RULES REQUIRING PARITY IN TREATMENT OF MENTAL, SUBSTANCE
USE DISORDERS ISSUED
2. GROUP PROPOSES SHUT DOWN OF TROUBLED PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
3. NEW LAW REQUIRES FIRST RESPONDERS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
TO REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE OF VULNERABLE ADULTS
4. EFFECTIVENESS AND OUTCOMES OF ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT
IN NEW YORK STATE
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RULES REQUIRING PARITY IN TREATMENT OF MENTAL, SUBSTANCE
USE DISORDERS ISSUED
The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and
the Treasury have jointly issued new rules providing parity
for consumers enrolled in group health plans of 50 or more
who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders.
The new law requires that any group health plan that includes
mental health and substance use disorder benefits along
with standard medical and surgical coverage must treat them
equally in terms of out-of-pocket costs, benefit limits
and practices such as prior authorization and utilization
review. The rules implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete
Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of
2008 (MHPAEA).
See the news release:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/01/20100129a.html
Read the Interim Final Rule:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/contentStreamer?
objectId=0900006480a8babe&disposition=attachment&contentType=pdf
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GROUP PROPOSES SHUT DOWN OF TROUBLED PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
Only days after former Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed five
bills aimed at improving conditions for New Jersey's mentally
ill residents, recommendations by Gov. Chris Christie's
Transition Team raised concern about future care for patients
under state supervision. Chief among the team's suggestions
was that one of the state's five psychiatric hospitals be
shut down.
The need for new laws show that New Jersey's mental health
system is in crisis, some advocates say, with a lack of
short-term beds for patients, especially children and the
elderly. For former patients released from psychiatric facilities,
there are not places to live that provide the support services
to help them return to productive lives. The need for the
Legislature to step in and address issues like emergency
room waiting times shows that the state's system for servicing
the mentally ill is broken and needs serious repair.
Read more:
http://www.app.com/article/20100130/NEWS/1300335/Transition-group-urges-shut-down-of-Ancora
Read the Human Services and Department of Children and
families Transition Team report: http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/reports/Human%20Services%20-%20Children%20&%20Families.pdf
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NEW LAW REQUIRES FIRST RESPONDERS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
TO REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE OF VULNERABLE ADULTS
In New Jersey, if you are a firefighter, an EMT, a nurse,
an optician, a podiatrist, a dentist, or any licensed health
professional, you are now required to report suspected abuse,
neglect or exploitation of persons over age 18 years to
Adult Protective Services. The law requires reporting of
abuse against a vulnerable person who is living in the community.
A "vulnerable adult means a person 18 years of age
or older who resides in a community setting and who, because
of a physical or mental illness, disability or deficiency,
lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make, communicate,
or carry out decisions concerning his [or her] well-being
and is the subject of abuse, neglect or exploitation. National
statistics indicate that only 1 in 20 incidences of abuse
or neglect is reported. To report abuse for vulnerable adult
living in the community call 1 800-792-8830.
Read more:
http://www.nj.com/suburbannews/index.ssf/2010/01/new_law_requires_first_respond.html
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EFFECTIVENESS AND OUTCOMES OF ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT
IN NEW YORK STATE
Forty-two states now have laws mandating outpatient commitment,
and research is needed to better understand its consequences.
Jo C. Phelan, Ph.D., and colleagues report findings from
a quasi- experimental, longitudinal study evaluating the
effects of Kendra's Law, the 1999 legislation that established
outpatient commitment in New York State. Mandated patients
were less likely to perpetrate serious violence or attempt
suicide in the year after discharge. They also had higher
levels of social functioning, although the two groups did
not differ in severity of psychotic symptoms and quality
of life. The negative consequences of perceived stigma and
coercion were not observed in the intervention group.
Read more:
http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstrac
t/61/2/137? ijkey=5d734a92e1188d91a086e2d28cbed48fefe84a7
e&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
