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APA Statement on Passage of House Prescription Drug Cost Lowering Legislation

In the wake of the House passage today of H.R. 3, The Lower Drug Costs Now Act, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) announced its support for several provisions in the bill that benefit mental health care.

The Path Forward for Mental Health and Substance Use Names Eight Regions to Spearhead Employer Efforts to Improve Access to Effective Care

The national steering committee for The Path Forward for Mental Health and Substance Use – National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, American Psychiatric Association (APA), American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) Center for Workplace Mental Health and Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute – has selected eight locations across the nation to implement its multi-stakeholder transformative initiative.

New Study Finds a Shortage of Therapists to Treat Children with Autism; Significant Variation by Region

The supply of certified applied behavior analysis (ABA) providers is insufficient to meet the needs of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in nearly every state, according to a study published online today in Psychiatric Services. The new study found there is substantial variation across states and regions—for instance, the per capita supply of certified ABA providers is substantially higher in the Northeast than in any other region.

APA Urges Action to End Disparities in Mental Health Coverage

People seeking treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders continue to pay more and face more barriers to accessing care than those seeking care for physical illness, according to a report released today from Milliman, Inc., and the disparity has worsened over the past two years.

Organizations Support The President’s September Decision To Remove Flavored E-Cigarettes From The Market

We write to express our strong, unified support for President Trump’s proposal, made on September 11, 2019, to swiftly remove all non-tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes, including mint and menthol flavors, from the marketplace both in retail stores and online. We urge the Administration to act without delay to finalize and implement its plan.

To Combat the Mental Health & Substance Use Public Health Crisis Employer, Physician and Policy Groups Partner

Rates of suicide and drug-related deaths are at record levels. This crisis is being exacerbated by inadequate access to care for mental health and substance use for Americans across the country. To realign market forces to focus on a more sustainable approach and ensure affordable access to high value, effective treatment, a group of influential non-profits announced a partnership to implement The Path Forward for Mental Health and Substance Use.

Health Care Coalition Submits Comments to Modernize SUD Treatment Privacy Law and Enhance Coordinated Care and Safety

The Partnership to Amend 42 CFR Part 2 (Partnership), a coalition of nearly 50 health care organizations committed to aligning 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO), today submitted comments in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), “Coordinating Care and Information Sharing in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders,” released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The proposed rule would modify Part 2, the federal regulations that govern confidentiality of drug and alcohol treatment and prevention records.

American Psychiatric Association Commends “CBS This Morning” For Its Efforts to “Stop the Stigma”

As part of a week-long programming focus, “CBS This Morning” aired a special live broadcast today titled "Stop the Stigma: A Conversation About Mental Health." It featured interviews with Jane Pauley, Karamo Brown, a culture expert on “Queer Eye,” Miana Bryant, founder of “The Mental Elephant,” Cynthia Germanotta, who co-founded the Born This Way Foundation with her daughter Lady Gaga, and Sue Varma, M.D., a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Celebrating 175 Years Since the Founding of the American Psychiatric Association

On Oct. 16, 1844, 13 superintendents of U.S. institutions for people with mental illness came together in Philadelphia for a four-day meeting that led to the creation of the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane. It was the first national medical society in the U.S. In 1892, the Association’s name was changed to the American Medico-Psychological Association, and in 1921, it became the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Study Finds Long-Term Mental Health Benefits of Gender-Affirming Surgery for Transgender Individuals

For transgender individuals, gender-affirming surgery can lead to long-term mental health benefits, according to new research published online today in The American Journal of Psychiatry. The study found that among transgender individuals with gender incongruence, undergoing gender-affirming surgery was significantly associated with a decrease in mental health treatment over time.

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Glenn O'Neal, 202-459-9732
press@psych.org

Erin Connors, 202-609-7113
econnors@psych.org