APA Fights On


On the latest in the medical world, Nada Stotland, MD, MPH and President APA said that the American Psychiatric Association will continue its struggle for legislation to stop the unfairness of the system which discriminates against Medicare patients who are in genuine need of mental health care.

 This comment was made by Dr. Stotland after the chance to debate on the Bill was lost on Thursday as they were six votes shorter than the necessary requirement of sixty votes.

 Dr. Stotland went on to express his views on the Bill saying that it would have greatly added to the Medicare program. It would have been successful in addressing problems relating to payment to health professionals, physicians and also made medical health care easily accessible.Dr. Stotland also expressed his appreciation for Senator Baucus and his associates who have shown a genuine interest in wanting to improve the medical health care services for Medicare, Part B recipients.

 The APA has for over decades lead the fight for ending discrimination against mental disorder patients which involve higher co-pays in relation to mental health care. The APA promises to continue its struggle in order to guarantee Medicare benefits to psychiatric patients.

 Dr.Stotland particularly offered his unwavering gratitude to certain distinguished Senators who had voted for cloture like Republican Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, Norm Coleman, Gordon Smith, Arlen Specter, Lisa Murkowski, Elisabeth Dole and Ted Stevens. He acknowledged their support to put an end to this prejudice against patients in need of mental health care who have been denied their rights by the current Medicare program since its conception.

 


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