Legislative

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama. It extends health insurance to 4 million uninsured children in addition to the existing 7 million children covered. Notably, it also provides strong mental-health coverage. The bill (HR 2) requires private SCHIP plans to cover mental illnesses at the same rate and on the same terms as other disorders and eliminates discriminatory coverage of mental illness under the existing law, reported Medscape. Full Story You can view the National Council's SCHIP fact sheet by clicking here. (PDF file)

Policy

The state of Georgia and the U.S. Justice Department have reached an agreement in a lawsuit regarding the state's seven mental hospitals, including West Central Georgia Regional in Columbus. Georgia has agreed to improve incident reviews and investigations, mental health treatment planning, seclusion and restraint protocols, medical and nursing care, and discharge planning in all of its psychiatric hospitals, reported Pharmacy Choice. Full Story

A broad coalition of mental health advocates blasted CA Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposal to permanently reverse parts of the state’s landmark Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), saying the plan would harm the more than 600,000 individuals who rely on public mental health services, exacerbate the cash crunch counties face during this economic downturn, and seriously set back voter-approved plans to expand mental health services to reach more people in need, reported California Progress Report. Full Story

Issues & Events

The Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) Program provides nurses the opportunity to learn how to influence health care through the legislative and regulatory processes. Participants learn from health policy experts and government officials, network with other nurses, and visit members of Congress. NIWI is open to any RN or nursing student (all levels of education) that is interested in learning more about the legislative process. There is not an application or acceptance process to attend NIWI. You just need to register and pay the registration fee. Click here for more information and to take advantage of the early bird registration fee, which ends Feb. 13.

APNA Highlights

APNA-Pennsylvania Annual Conference
APNA-Pennsylvania will hold it Annual Conference on March 28, 2009 - "Psychiatric Nursing Policy, Practice and Advocacy: Creating a Voice for Mental Health Reform." Download the brochure for more details.

Grant Application Deadline Approaching
The APNF grant application deadline is Feb. 16. Click here for more information.

Call For Abstracts
The 2009 APNA Conference Committee invites you to submit an abstract to be considered for presentation at the 23rd Annual Conference. The theme for this year's conference is Many Differences. One Voice. Practice, Research, Education, Administration. Click here for more information. Submissions will be accepted online until March 2 by clicking here.