Federal News & Issues

Tax Bill an Unnecessary Attack on Nation’s Health Care

ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is disappointed by the final passage today of a tax bill that causes unnecessary damage to the nation’s health care system. In response, the APA is issuing this statement from its CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A.:

“This legislation, which calls for the removal of the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act, sacrifices the health care of 13 million Americans who will lose their insurance by 2027,” Levin said. “By significantly raising the federal deficit, this bill sets the stage for future cuts to Medicare and other critical safety net programs. What is being sold as a tax cut bill is also an attack on our health care system. There is no reason for these two issues to be decided by the same vote.

“We need Congress to pass...

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Author: mbourdase - Published: Dec 20, 2017

APA and National Council for Behavioral Health Applaud the ISMICC’s First Report

Washington, DC — The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and National Council for Behavioral Health commend the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for its report, released yesterday by the federal Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC). The report acknowledged that the health care system has failed to meet the needs of adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbances, and outlined areas to help address this failure.

Based on initial deliberations, the ISMICC’s areas of focus include making it easier to access care, closing the gap between treatment that works and what is offered, and developing financing strategies that increase availability and affordability of care.

The APA and National Council call on the...

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Author: mbourdase - Published: Dec 15, 2017

APA Welcomes First Federal Report on Coordinating Agency Responses to Serious Mental Illness

ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Psychiatric Association (APA) welcomes the first-ever report issued today from the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC), led by Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Elinore McCance-Katz, M.D, Ph.D. The committee was created as part of the 21st Century Cures Act, a mental health reform bill passed late last year. The committee is charged with enhancing coordination across federal agencies that impact the care of those with serious mental illness.

“We congratulate Assistant Secretary McCance-Katz on the release of the first ISMICC report and its focus on prevention, care and early...

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Author: mbourdase - Published: Dec 14, 2017

Section 1115 Demonstration Waivers and Other Proposals to Change Medicaid Benefits, Financing and Cost-sharing: Ensuring Access and Affordability Must be Paramount


Joint principles of the following organizations representing front-line physicians:

  • American Academy of Family Physicians
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • American College of Physicians
  • American Osteopathic Association
  • American Psychiatric Association

On behalf of the more than 560,000 physicians and medical students represented by the combined memberships of the above organizations, we have adopted the following principles for designing, evaluating, reviewing and approving proposals to change Medicaid benefits, financing and cost sharing through Section 1115 demonstration waivers or other legislative or regulatory policies. Our...

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Author: mbourdase - Published: Dec 8, 2017

APA Members, Staffers Donate More Than $30,000 to Disaster Relief

ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Psychiatric Association Foundation, a business entity of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), today presented checks totaling $30,000 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts in mainland U.S. and Puerto Rico. The Foundation also announced that it will later present a check of $3,000 to CrearConSalud, a nonprofit providing mental health services in Puerto Rico.

The U.S. has experienced a significant number of natural disasters this year: hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and wildfires in California. The APA Foundation created a disaster relief fund and APA members and staffers responded. The Foundation presented a $20,000 check to the Red Cross’ Disaster Services Program, which includes its Disaster Mental Health Volunteer Program and supports all disasters. The...

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Author: mbourdase - Published: Dec 8, 2017

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