Federal News & Issues

Jul 19, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Psychiatric Association (APA) last fall joined six other health organizations in filing a lawsuit against the Administration’s decision to allow for the expanded sale of short-term, limited duration plans (STLDI) in exchange for comprehensive health plans mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Today, a federal district court judge upheld the government’s regulations regarding STLDI plans. In response, the APA issued the following statements:

“We are deeply disappointed that the court ruled in favor of the Administration’s rule, which will allow these plans to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, and have other detrimental impacts for our patients,” said APA President Bruce Schwartz, M.D. “This ruling could be catastrophic for many Americans with mental illness or substance...

Jul 09, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is deeply concerned with the recent reports regarding the conditions children and their families who are seeking asylum at the U.S. border are being held in, and the traumatic affects those conditions will have on their mental health. In response, the APA released this statement from APA President Bruce Schwartz, M.D.:

“Every effort should be made to mitigate the impact of long-term detainment and minimize the number of days that families spend in detention. Scientific studies and clinical experience show that stress and adversity are particularly harmful when these events happen during significant periods of emotional and brain development, such as the first few years of life and adolescence. For example, children who have been exposed to chronic or...