Federal News & Issues

Feb 09, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The members of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) have chosen Bruce J. Schwartz, M.D., as its next president-elect. The results were released today but are not official until the APA Board of Directors confirms the election at its March meeting.

Schwartz is the Deputy Chairman and a Professor of Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. He has served numerous leadership roles at APA, including currently as the Treasurer of the APA and chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Investment Oversight Committee, Finance and Budget Committee and Board of the APA Foundation. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of NYC and was the Editor-in...

Jan 30, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Recent news accounts state that the Big Horn County (Mont.) Attorney has announced a "crackdown" policy on pregnant women who use drugs or alcohol. Under the reported policy, the attorney intends to issue restraining orders against pregnant women who are found to be using alcohol or drugs with the threat of jail time if they don't comply. This stated action runs counter to the policy of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), which today issued the following statement from APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A.:

"Pregnant women who are abusing drugs or alcohol need treatment, not incarceration or punishment," Levin said. "The APA strongly believes that treating the expectant mother is best for the health of the mother and her expectant child. Putting a woman in jail who has a...