01/05/2009
Aides to Gov. Schwarzenegger rolled out a proposal aimed at closing the state's more than $40 billion budget deficit over the next 18 months. The plan would cut Medi-Cal and calls for shifting funds from special accounts for mental health services and early childhood health care and education programs to other state efforts. Sacramento Bee et al.
12/23/2008
Los Angeles County probation officials are proposing the construction of a 70-bed hospital in Sylmar to treat and house incarcerated juveniles with serious mental illnesses. The facility would cost an estimated $5 million to $10 million. Los Angeles Times.
12/18/2008
On Wednesday, a federal judge ruled that the court did not have the authority to impose quicker deadlines aimed at speeding up the handling of veterans' disability claims. Vietnams Veterans of America and Veterans of Modern Welfare filed a lawsuit asking that the Department of Veterans Affairs be required to process initial disability claims within 90 days and resolve appeals within 180 days. AP/Washington Post.
12/17/2008
The California Assembly is scheduled to vote on Republican legislators' budget plan today, after a Democratic proposal did not win sufficient support. The Republican plan seeks to reallocate funds for mental health services and children's health and education efforts. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
12/16/2008
California Republican legislators outlined a proposal to boost revenue in large part by reallocating billions of dollars in funds from voter-approved initiatives for mental health services and early childhood health and education. Medi-Cal also would be cut under the plan. Los Angeles Times et al.
12/15/2008
A budget plan that Republican legislators are expected to announce today is reported to propose letting the state tap into funding allocated for early childhood health and education programs funded by First 5 and mental health services funded under Proposition 63. Sacramento Bee et al.
12/12/2008
On Thursday, Los Angeles County officials said that they have identified $33 million in budget savings and that they are prepared to make budget cuts. Los Angeles County CEO Bill Fujioka recommended in a new report that the board of supervisors authorize transferring $18 million from a reserve fund to the Department of Mental Health to ensure the continuation of psychiatric care. Los Angeles Daily News.
11/24/2008
An investigation by ProPublica found a string of cases involving abuse and neglect at Psychiatric Solutions Inc. facilities, including Sierra Vista Hospital in Sacramento. Among private psychiatric hospitals in California, Sierra Vista had the highest rate of state and federal deficiencies -- about eight times the state average. Los Angeles Times.
11/21/2008
On Thursday, Los Angeles County mental health commissioners asked the Department of Mental Health to present by early next month a plan to end the practice of forwarding emergency calls to police. Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Daily Journal reported that mental health workers increasingly are forwarding emergency calls to police because of a shortage of beds. Los Angeles Times.
11/17/2008
On Friday, the Department of Labor issued new rules under the Family and Medical Leave Act, including regulations allowing military family members to take up to 26 weeks off from work each year to care for an ill or injured member of the armed services. The new rules also allow relatives to take up to 12 weeks off to care for active-duty National Guard members and military reservists. New York Times.
11/14/2008
Many mental health advocates are outraged at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health's refusal to take emergency calls involving individuals with mental illnesses when no hospitals beds are available. County officials argue that their no-response policy is a legal protection from liability. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
11/12/2008
In a Veterans Day rally yesterday, home care advocates called on lawmakers to reject Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed cuts in care-worker wages and access to services. The advocates argued that veterans are among the estimated 408,000 elderly and disabled residents who rely on In-Home Supportive Services benefits. Sacramento Bee.
11/12/2008
Some veterans' families are seeking government compensation for caring for injured veterans. Under a bill introduced in the last session of Congress, families of soldiers with traumatic brain injuries would be paid for their caretaking after receiving training and certification by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA opposed the bill because of liability issues. New York Times.
11/11/2008
PBS' "NewsHour" examined how the military and Department of Veterans Affairs is addressing the rising suicide rate among service members. In recent years, suicides among active duty personnel have doubled, and multiple deployments might be contributing to the increase, according to the Army. PBS' "NewsHour."
10/30/2008
On Wednesday, the Army announced that it plans to partner with the National Institute of Mental Health on a five-year, $50 million study to determine the causes and risk factors of suicide. The study is in response to the increasing rate of suicide among service members since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. New York Times.