ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. LEGISLATION MOVES IN SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE
2. ANCORA SOON PROBED
3. DEFENDANTS RULED INSANE REQUIRE COURT MONITORING
4. NEW JERSEY REPORT ON HOSPITALS ISSUED
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LEGISLATION MOVES IN SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE
The Senate Health Committee approved two pieces of legislation
that affect persons with a mental illness in New Jersey.
S607, the resubmitted Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment
Parity Bill that was sidetracked in the recently concluded
legislature cleared its first hurtle in the new session.
The bill now moves to the Senate Budget and Appropriations
Committee.
S625 would permit smoking bans on the grounds of state
psychiatric hospitals if smoking cessation program offered.
Testimony indicated that smoking cessation programs and
nicotine replacement therapy would be used in an effort
to address one of the major contributing factors to the
shortened lifespan of persons with a mental illness. The
bill moves to the full Senate.
To read S607
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S1000/607_R1.HTM
Time Has Come / Mental Health Parity, read the Press of
Atlantic City editorial
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/editorials/story/7531407p-7433401c.html
To read S625
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S1000/625_R1.HTM
See the PolitickerNJ story:
http://www.politickernj.com/vitale-bill-would-allow-state-psychiatric-hospitals-ban-campus-smoking-15775
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ANCORA SOON PROBED
State hospital subject of serious charges of abuse
The Assembly Human Services Committee will conduct hearings
next month to probe reports of drug abuse, assaults, poor
security and runaway overtime costs at Ancora Psychiatric
Hospital. Since Jan. 5, the Asbury Park Press has printed
nine stories detailing patient conditions at Ancora.
"I think we need to dig down and find out what the
root of the problem is, and how deep it goes," said
Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Lou Greenwald, D-Camden.
Read Alan Guenther's report:
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080119/NEWS03/801190354
See the full Asbury Park Press series:
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/SPECIAL/80114089&template=recurring
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DEFENDANTS RULED INSANE REQUIRE COURT MONITORING
Judges must monitor the progress of criminal defendants
found not guilty by reason of insanity if they require continuing
treatment after they are released, the state Supreme Court
has ruled. The unanimous decision by New Jersey's highest
court is the first to explicitly say judges must require
defendants to return to court for periodic reviews to assess
their progress after being conditionally released. In the
past, judges decided on a case-by-case basis.
Read the Star Ledger Report:
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1200635112286640.xml&coll=1
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NEW JERSEY REPORT ON HOSPITALS ISSUED
The New Jersey Commission on Rationalizing Health Care Resources
released its long-awaited report on January 25. The commission
noted that many hospitals that play a critical role in responding
to the mental health needs of the community members are
in serious trouble. Fifteen hospitals have closed in the
last decade. Five have filed for bankruptcy since July 2006.
The report recommends that State health policy should expand
mental health and substance abuse capacity in the community,
prioritize funding for mental health and substance abuse
services, and insist on tailoring services to patients'
wellness and
recovery needs. In addition, it is also critical that acute
psychiatric and detoxification services, emergency and acute
hospital inpatient care continue to be available in a hospital
setting.
Read the Commission's Mental Health Report:
http://www.nj.gov/health/rhc/finalreport/documents/chapter_11.pdf
