Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Tennessee Study Highlights Public Health Benefits Of Treating Hepatitis C In Prison
The Tennessean: Study: Treating Hepatitis C In Prison Benefits Broader Public
Right now hardly any of the nearly 3,500 Tennessee inmates who are known to have hepatitis C are receiving the cure. The cure is costly, but at least one study suggests providing it to inmates could result in stemming the tide of an epidemic affecting the entire country. (Boucher, 5/8)
The Pioneer Press: For Mentally Ill Facing Charges, Growing Recognition But Elusive Solutions
Tim Leslie still remembers the St. Paul house near Victoria Street and Selby Avenue where he’d regularly respond to calls as a patrol officer from a resident who was convinced there was something landing on the roof. There wasn’t, but police learned how to talk him down anyway. “The first couple calls, it was, ‘We do this, too?’ ” he said. Today he’s the Dakota County Sheriff, responsible for a jail where perhaps a third of the inmates have mental health needs. And like others with a hand in the criminal justice system, he’s trying to manage those needs while navigating the growing, thorny nexus between law enforcement and mental illness. (Eccher, 5/8)
The Associated Press: Appeals Court Throws Out 7-Day Rule For Mental Evaluations
A federal appeals court Friday overturned an order requiring [Washington] state health officials to provide competency evaluations to mentally ill defendants within seven days of a judge’s order, but said there should be limits on the wait times for these defendants. (Bellisle, 5/7)
The Kansas City Star: Growing Mental Health Crisis Lands On Specially Trained Officers
As soon as the officers on the Kansas City porch announce themselves as the police, the man standing inside the door slams it shut. Bam. The officers in their black bulletproof vests — Ashley McCunniff and Aric Anderson — stand there a moment, exchanging a look. (Robertson, 5/8)
