White House Pushes Insurers For Equal Mental Health Coverage
The Biden administration is "going after" health insurers for flouting federal laws designed to ensure that they provide mental health care on the same terms as other health care. Meanwhile, AI tools are helping doctors diagnose mental health conditions.
Politico:
Joe Biden’s Taking On Insurers To Address America’s Mental Health Crisis
The Biden administration is going after health insurers for flouting a federal law requiring them to provide mental health care on the same terms as other care. The administration has proposed new rules it says will make the insurers comply and it’s threatening big fines if they don’t. Insurers are pleading innocent and, backed by some of America’s biggest companies, claiming the Biden administration plan could make an intractable problem worse. The battle comes as Americans’ mental health care needs are at modern highs, following a pandemic-driven spike that refuses to abate. (Leonard, 9/17)
More on mental health care —
Axios:
AI Tools Help Doctors Screen For Mental Health Conditions In U.K., U.S.
A diagnostic "e-triage" tool from Limbic, a British AI startup, has screened more than 210,000 patients with a claimed 93% accuracy across the eight most common mental disorders, including depression, anxiety and PTSD, co-founder Ross Harper, a computational neuroscientist, told Axios. (Heath, 9/18)
KUNR Public Radio:
Native Americans, Alaska Natives See Spike In Suicide Rates
From 2000 to 2020, the national rate grew 30%, according to an analysis from Pew Charitable Trusts. For Native Americans and Alaska Natives, the rate among women spiked 135%, and the rate among men jumped 92%. (Roedel, 9/14)
CBS News:
Doctor Says It's Important To Discuss The Topic Of Suicide To Prevent A Tragedy
There's one death every 11 minutes because of suicide. In any given day, it takes the lives of about 132 people and, on average, 12 are children. Doctors, like Nicholas Westers, say this is a problem we need to talk about. "If you're wondering if your child who is struggling is maybe thinking about suicide, it's okay to ask," he said. "We know that even asking and talking about it can actually decrease the risk of attempting suicide if they're thinking about suicide and it's not going to put the idea in their head." (Katz, 9/17)
USA Today:
A Suicide Survivor Is Fighting Mental Health Stigma One Sign At A Time
When Fonda Bryant called her aunt to ask if she wanted her shoes, her aunt knew something wasn't right. "She said, 'Are you gonna kill yourself?'" Bryant remembers. "And I said, 'Yes.' And she went into action, like a superhero. And she saved my life." Unknown to herself or her family, Bryant was suffering from depression that took her to the brink of suicide. Her experience echoes a growing suicide crisis across the nation. September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, spotlighting the pressing need for continued awareness of the signs of suicide and methods to prevent it. But even as conversations about mental health have become more common in public spaces, statistics show the continued challenges of speaking up for help. (Mayes-Osterman, 9/16)
The Gazette:
Brandon Act Requires Commanders To Connect Troops To Mental Health Help
Commanders across the military are now required to help troops get mental health care as soon as possible to help prevent suicides under a new law called the Brandon Act. (Shinn, 9/18)
Los Angeles Times:
OC Health Care Agency Granted $10 Million For Crisis Mobile Units
“We are very excited to draw down these funds to better support the efforts of our crisis response system of care,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, HCA chief of mental health and recovery services. ... The County’s CAT program provides a prompt response in the field when an individual is experiencing a behavioral health crisis. A behavioral health crisis may include a mental health crisis, substance use crisis, or co-occurring mental health and substance use crises. County clinicians respond to calls from anyone in the community and are dispatched 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. (9/17)
Spotlight PA:
How PA Jails Highlight Mental Health Care Gaps
A monthslong investigation by Spotlight PA and the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism found that Pennsylvania’s system for determining whether someone is mentally fit to stand trial often traps them in the very place making them worse — jail. In “A Criminal Solution,” the newsrooms reported that Pennsylvania laws and policies meant to aid people with severe mental health issues and who have been accused of a crime often do just the opposite. (Ohl, 9/18)
If you are in need of help —
Dial 9-8-8 for 24/7 support from the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It's free and confidential.
