Federal News & Issues

APA Applauds House Passage of Funding Provisions for Mental Health Needs and Urges the Senate to Take Action

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 31, 2020 – The American Psychiatric Association (APA) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education FY2021 appropriations bill that includes much needed funding for mental health care and medical research. The bill, which includes a total of $96.4 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, was part of a seven-bill spending package (HR 7617). Among the provisions supported by the APA are:

  • A total of $6 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an increase of more than $100 million over the previous fiscal year for mental health and substance use-related programs. The APA effectively worked with mental health partners resulting in a $35 million increase to the SAMHSA budget to improve...
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Author: mbourdase - Published: Jul 31, 2020

APA Statements in Remembrance of Civil Rights Icon Rep. John Lewis

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 30, 2020 – As civil rights leader and ‘conscience of Congress’ Rep. John Lewis is laid to rest today in Atlanta, Georgia, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) issued the following statements:

“We are mourning the loss of a leader who meant so much to the Black community and to all Americans who strive for equity and justice,” said APA President Jeffrey Geller, M.D., M.P.H. “For more than a half century, Rep. John Lewis showed what walking the walk truly means in promoting civil rights, even putting his own life at risk in service of the cause. His lesson to us is to continue that work through speaking up, taking tangible actions, exhibiting humility and practicing perseverance. In taking on racial discrimination, we will do well if we take to heart his words: ‘I believe race is too heavy a burden...

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Author: mbourdase - Published: Jul 30, 2020

Needs of Students During the COVID-19 Era: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and American Psychiatric Association (APA) Detail Steps Necessary for Safely Reopening Schools This Fall

WASHINGTON D.C. JULY 15, 2020 – The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognize that education, including school attendance, is an essential component of successful and healthy development for all children and adolescents. Access to universal, high-quality education is always the goal, but is especially true in the COVID-19 era, when many have had their education compromised and experience higher levels of stress from social isolation.

We recommend that school reopening plans proceed with appropriate care and include the following precautions:

  1. Public health agencies must make recommendations about returning to school in the classroom, based on scientific evidence and local community circumstances, devoid of politics, with careful...
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Author: mbourdase - Published: Jul 15, 2020

APA Presidential Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry Begins Its Work

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 2, 2020 – The American Psychiatric Association today announced the members and charge of its Presidential Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry. The Task Force was initially described at an APA Town Hall on June 15 amidst rising calls from psychiatrists for action on racism. It held its first meeting on June 27, and efforts, including the planning of future town halls, surveys and the establishment of related committees, are underway.

Focusing on organized psychiatry, psychiatrists, psychiatric trainees, psychiatric...

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Author: mbourdase - Published: Jul 2, 2020

WASHINGTON D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 2020 – The American Psychiatric Association (APA) today urged Congress to take several measures to curb the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a continuance of expanded telehealth rules, the enforcement of the parity law that requires insurers to cover mental health the same as physical health, as well as the collection and analysis of detailed data on the racial disparities in the mental health effects of COVID-19.

APA President Jeffrey Geller, M.D., M.P.H., made these recommendations today during testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health. The virtual hearing, titled "High Anxiety...

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Author: mbourdase - Published: Jun 30, 2020

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