Bill Would Expand Mental Health Care for Older Americans

Bill Would Expand Mental Health Care for Older Americans

by TERRELL FRAZIER
Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service June 24, 2004

A bill to enhance older Americans' access to mental health care was introduced Thursday by Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

The legislation calls for establishing two competitive grants to reward nonprofit community-based providers of mental health services, such as senior centers and assisted-living communities.

"Mental illness issues are systemic. It affects the whole society, and yet insurance policies and society's approach to it are absolutely archaic," said Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., a supporter. "We don't have mental health coverage, so everyone is led to believe that the brain is not a part of the body for purposes of insurance coverage."

The act would also make mental health services available in rural and urban areas.

"The prevalence of mental illness among our nation's elderly is so often overlooked. Studies have shown that more than one in five Americans age 65 or older experience mental illness, and mental illness is not a part of the normal aging process," Collins said.

The proposed legislation would provide authority and resources to the Administration on Aging and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

"Working together, these agencies have the potential to help mainstream and strengthen the delivery of mental health services to older Americans," Clinton said.

The bill authorizes the Administration on Aging to provide more mental health screenings and improve mental illness diagnoses for seniors. Funds could also be used to create outreach programs to make older Americans aware of treatment availability.

Critics of the act have complained that the act would be too costly.

The legislation has been endorsed by the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, The National Council on the Aging, the American Nurses Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the American Psychological Association.

Source: Knight Ridder

This 'Mental Health E-News' posting is a service of the New York Ass'n of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, a statewide coalition of people who use and/or provide community mental health services dedicated to improving services and social conditions for people with psychiatric disabilities by promoting their recovery, rehabilitation and rights. To join our list, please click on the E-News Subscription button.

Last Updated on 06/29/04 webmaster@namiscc.org

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