In Washington, D.C., unions are suing the Department of Mental Health where budget, not quality concerns, have led to outsourcing mental health services despite insufficient staff to absorb the need. The Washington Business Journal reports:
One of the few providers still accepting clients is attempting to serve almost 1,600 patients with just two registered nurses, according to the complaint filed in D.C. Superior Court on Aug. 4.
It further charges that privatization eliminated "more than 100 public-sector mental health jobs were to be eliminated." The suit asks the judge to block the privatization plans.
I am new to blogging and I just stumbled upon your site. I appreciate your initiative to educate readers about the political aspects of the battle for a decent health care reform and for mental health parity. Few can understand that one in four suffer or will suffer from some type of mental illness at some point. Few understand that this is a higher incidence than, let's say, swine flu that gets so much publicity and about which people have no hesitation talking openly.
Posted by Christine Forest, M.D. | September 26, 2009 11:09 AMThank you for keeping us informed and alert at what is going on nationwide regarding mental health.