Federal News & Issues

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 12, 2021 – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a package of mental health-related legislation brought forth by the Energy and Commerce Committee. The package of bills, previously passed by the House in the 116th Congress, would help prevent suicide, expand diagnosis and treatment for substance use disorders, increase mental health screenings in the emergency room and overall, and support patients with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) applauded passage of the legislative package and urged the Senate to quickly follow suit.

The Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act (H.R.1475), introduced by Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and John Katko (R-NY), and...

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 4, 2021 – Vivian Pender, M.D., began her term as President of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) at the 2021 APA Annual Meeting. She has had extensive APA experience, having served in numerous leadership roles at APA, including the District Branch, the APA Board of Trustees, the Finance and Budget Committee, the APA Assembly, and the APA Political Action Committee.

Dr. Pender is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and a training psychoanalyst at Columbia University. She has numerous awards for teaching medical students and residents. In addition to maintaining a private practice of psychiatry in New York City, she is the founder of Healthcare Against Trafficking, Inc., an...