Mental Health ‘Czar’ Nominee Renews Debate Between Community And Hospital Care Models
Those on the medical side seek more hospital beds and involuntary drug treatment for people in need but the other side suggest medical treatment alone is not enough. Also, the Veterans Affairs secretary tells a House hearing that the VA wants to begin offering mental health services to former service members with less-than-honorable discharges.
The New York Times:
Trump’s Pick For Mental Health ‘Czar’ Highlights Rift
For decades, therapists, patient advocates and countless families have worked to elevate mental health care in the political conversation. Their cause recently received a big boost when a new law created a federal mental health “czar” to help overhaul the system and bridge more than 100 federal agencies concerned with mental health. But the White House’s choice for the first person to fill that position has already been divisive, exposing longstanding rifts within the field that may be difficult to mend. (Carey and Fink, 5/24)
The Associated Press:
VA Plans Mental Care For Discharged Vets, But At What Cost?
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin touted new efforts Wednesday to expand urgent mental health care to thousands of former service members with less-than-honorable discharges, even while acknowledging his department isn’t seeking additional money to pay for it. Testifying at a House hearing, Shulkin offered new details on his initiative announced in March to stem stubbornly high rates of suicide. Stressing a need at that time for “bold action,” he noted the additional coverage would help former service members who are more likely to have mental health distress. Of the 20 veterans who take their lives each day, about 14 had not been connected to VA care. (Yen, 5/24)
