An Introduction to the June 2010 IACP Report

National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery News Release  July 13, 2010

In May 2009, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the JEHT Foundation, the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, and the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR, formerly the National Coalition of Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Organizations) designed and sponsored “Building Safer Communities: Improving Police Response to Persons with Mental Illness,” a two-day summit bringing together over 100 leaders from mental health advocacy and law enforcement communities across the U.S. 

Keynote presentations at the summit were given by Sam Cochran, developer of Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for law enforcement, and NCMHR Steering Committee member Daniel B. Fisher, who spoke about Emotional CPR (eCPR), a public health education program developed by NCMHR and designed to teach people to assist others through emotional crisis. Both Cochran and Fisher discussed the critical importance of heart-to-heart communication, especially when interacting with someone in emotional crisis. NCMHR Director Lauren Spiro helped to plan the summit and participated in a panel discussion about the challenges and opportunities associated with collaboration. 

The summit report highlights the importance of focusing on recovery rather than symptom management. Key recommendations include: avoiding the use of restraint and other control mechanisms unless absolutely necessary for public safety; emphasizing involvement of consumers, family members, and other advocates in Crisis Intervention Training and related training; and promoting interagency collaboration to ensure community integration of persons with mental health issues. The report describes “grass-roots, peer-run programs led by and for people in recovery” as “an important part of the continuum of services that should be offered to persons with mental illness who come into contact with law enforcement.” Examples of consumer-run organizations are provided. To read the summit report, click here.

Robert Whitaker Video

This is a terrific video of Robert Whitaker talking about Psychotropic Drugs and Children. It demonstrates how important is PsychRights' Medicaid Fraud Initiative Against Psychiatric Drugging of Children & Youth. http://psychrights.org/Education/ModelQuiTam/ModelQuiTam.htm

HHS Launches New Consumer Focused Health Care Website www.HealthCare.gov

A Powerful New Information Tool That
Will Give Consumers More Control Over Their Own Health Care
and Allow Them to Compare Their Coverage Option

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today unveiled an innovative new on-line tool that will help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage.  Called for by the Affordable Care Act, HealthCare.gov is the first website to provide consumers with both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs in a single, easy-to-use tool. 

“HealthCare.gov  helps consumers take control of their health care and make the choices that are right for them, by putting the power of information at their fingertips,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  “For too long, the insurance market has been confusing and hard to navigate.  HealthCare.gov makes it easy for consumers and small businesses to compare health insurance plans in both the public and the private sector and find other important health care information.”

HealthCare.gov  is the first central database of health coverage options, combining information about public programs, from Medicare to the new Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plan, with information from more than 1,000 private insurance plans.  Consumers can receive information about options specific to their life situation and local community.

In addition, the website will be a one-stop-shop for information about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act as well as other health care resources.  The website will connect consumers to quality rankings for local health care providers as well as preventive services.

“This website is unlike any government website you have ever seen or used before,” said HHS Chief Technology Officer Todd Park.  “It was developed with significant consumer input and is remarkably easy to navigate.  This is despite the sheer volume of content it offers consumers: billions of health care choices through the insurance finder and more than 500 pages of new content, all of which is designed to grow with ongoing consumer feedback and as our health care system improves.”

As the health care market transforms, so will HealthCare.gov.  In October, 2010, price estimates for health insurance plans will be available online. In the weeks and months ahead, new information on preventing disease and illness and improving the quality of health care for all Americans will also be posted.  The website also includes a series of opportunities where users can indicate whether pages were helpful to them and we will continue to seek user feedback to grow and strengthen the site.

“People need to see what choices are offered, what options cost, and how coverage works in practice,” said Karen Pollitz, Deputy Director for Consumer Support, Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. “Today HealthCare.gov takes an important first step in that direction.  In the coming months and years, we will add pricing and plan performance information so that consumers can see and understand and make meaningful choices about their health coverage.”

Washington, DC - July 6, 2010 - The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law today announced support for President Obama's nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court.

"The Supreme Court has been, and will be, a critical protector of the rights of people with disabilities.  Based on her articulate and thoughtful answers to tough questions at her confirmation hearing, we think Elena Kagan will be a strong leader in advancing disability rights on the Court," said Robert Bernstein, Ph.D., executive director of the Bazelon Center.

 "We are particularly heartened by General Kagan's repeated emphasis on how courts should pay great deference to Congress's role and intent in enacting civil rights statutes," added Bernstein.  "In its bipartisan enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and its recent amendments, Congress clearly stated that the ADA should have a broad remedial effect.  We believe that Justice Kagan will respect Congress's intent that all people with disabilities should be protected from discrimination."

Bernstein also cited Kagan's efforts, while dean of Harvard Law School, to expand clinical and pro bono opportunities for students to assist people with disabilities, including advocacy for people seeking Social Security disability benefits and help for families with children needing special education services.

"During her hearing Elena Kagan made it clear that equality under the law is a fundamental American ideal, and that one of the Court's most important missions is to ensure that this value remains strong," said Bernstein.  "We think Americans with disabilities can expect equal treatment - or, as she aptly put it, 'a level playing field' - from Justice Kagan."