Mental illnesses are one of the great plagues of mankind. They are the largest cause of disability in the world and responsible for countless suicides. In the U.S., there is bipartisan recognition that, in Senator Chris Murphy’s words, “Mental health care in America is in desperate need of an overhaul.” But even reform efforts with wide spread […]
This paper assesses the effects of past Medicaid eligibility expansions to parents (1997-2009) using data from the National Health Interview Survey, and considers implications for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion. We find that expanding Medicaid eligibility increases insurance coverage, reduces unmet needs due to cost and OOP spending, and improves mental health status […]
Patients with mental illness are being detained in emergency rooms, often for weeks at a time. Now some states are rethinking the entire psychiatric care system.A couple of years ago, in Pierce County, Wash., 10 mental patients spent extended periods in hospital emergency rooms after suffering psychotic episodes. This was against the rules: Washington state […]
The story repeats itself with grim consistency all over the country. A distraught family member, unable to calm a loved one in the throes of a psychotic or suicidal episode, calls police, desperate for help. Officers arrive, tensions quickly flare, guns are drawn, people panic — and a troubled life is extinguished, sometimes within seconds. […]
Those who oppose expanded gun-control legislation frequently argue that instead of limiting access to guns, the country should focus on mental health problems. “People with mental illness are getting guns and committing these mass shootings,” said Paul Ryan, the speaker of the House, after the shooting in San Bernardino, Calif.,early this month. And Republicans in […]
