Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Gov. Kemp Signs Bill To Overhaul Georgia's Poor Mental Health System
AP: Georgia Governor Signs Sweeping Mental Health Bill Into Law
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday signed into law a bill aimed at bolstering the state’s dismal mental health care system by pressuring private insurers to improve coverage for mental health conditions. HB 1013 — championed by Republican House Speaker David Ralston — also requires publicly funded insurance programs to spend more on patient care and authorizes loan forgiveness for people studying to become mental health professionals. It is expected to cost tens of millions of dollars in additional state funding each year. (Thanawala, 4/4)
In other mental health news —
San Francisco Chronicle: Mayor Breed Backs Mental Health Bills To Reform Mandated Treatment, Address Street Crisis: ‘It Is A Disgrace’
Mayor London Breed is supporting a package of mental health conservatorship reform bills in the California legislature, expressing frustration that people with mental illness are deteriorating on the streets and calling for more options to get them into treatment. Conservatorship, a controversial issue statewide, is when a judge appoints a conservator to make decisions about treatment for people with serious mental illnesses or chronic alcoholism who can’t care for their basic needs. (Moench, 4/4)
Bangor Daily News: A New Wall At Bangor’s Airport Tells Stories Of People’s Mental Health Struggles
The latest installation of an international campaign aimed at reducing the stigma associated with mental illnesses was unveiled at Bangor International Airport on Monday. Massachusetts-based McLean Hospital launched the public awareness campaign, “Deconstructing Stigma: Changing Attitudes About Mental Health,” in 2016 with a large installation in Boston Logan International Airport. Since then, the hospital has partnered with airports and other venues worldwide to feature volunteers who share their stories about their experiences living with mental illness. At Bangor International Airport, photos and stories of men and women from Maine and beyond who have experienced mental health challenges fill two walls. The first wall is in the airport lobby across from the check-in desks, and the other is on the second floor near the gates. (O'Brien, 4/4)
In updates on LGBTQ+ issues —
Houston Chronicle: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Wants Texas Version Of Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants Texas to replicate Florida’s controversial law that prohibits schools from teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity to students from kindergarten through the third grade. In an email to campaign supporters late Monday, Patrick said he would make the bill a “top priority” during the next legislative session in January. The law has garnered backlash from Democrats and civil rights advocates, who say the legislation marginalizes LGBTQ students and may chill all discussion of sexuality in the classroom. (Harris, 4/4)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia Lawmakers Approve Divisive Concepts, Transgender Sports Bill
The Georgia General Assembly just after midnight Monday approved legislation to control how race is discussed in K-12 classrooms, after amending it to allow any athletic association to ban transgender girls from competing with girls’ teams. House Bill 1084 had already passed the state Senate on Friday with minor amendments after approval in the House. Then, it got tossed back and forth for final approval, and the transgender measure was added. It now goes to the desk of Gov. Brian Kemp. (Tagami and Prabhu, 4/4)
