Author Archive

New changes don't fix AHCA shortcomings, threaten key protections

By drwong
April 30, 2017

Apr 27, 2017 Kevin B. O'Reilly Editor American Medical Association Wire The most recent effort to broaden support for the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which comes in the form of an amendment proposed by New Jersey Rep. Tom MacArthur, does not address the most serious flaws in the bill and would also undermine critical...   read more


American Psychiatric Association Joins Medical-Scientific Community in Support of March for Science

By drwong
April 23, 2017

APA has joined 24 other medical and scientific organizations in a statement of support for the March for Science taking place Saturday, April 22, in Washington, D.C., and in other cities around the country. APA and the other groups said support of scientific education and research is vital. “As the world's leading organizations representing clinicians,...   read more


One Family's Story of Mental Illness and What Came After

By drwong
April 23, 2017

Book Review | Nonfiction By RON SUSKIND APRIL 4, 2017 New York Times NO ONE CARES ABOUT CRAZY PEOPLE The Chaos and Heartbreak of Mental Health in America By Ron Powers 360 pp. Hachette Books. $28. In the opening chapter of his extraordinary and courageous book, the author and critic Ron Powers writes about a...   read more


'Sesame Street' to introduce Julia, a muppet with autism, in April

By drwong
April 2, 2017

By Yvonne Villarreal March 19, 2017 Los Angeles Times   She’s the wide-eyed little Muppet with a big smile who has made it to “Sesame Street.” Her name is Julia and she has autism. Julia was first introduced in 2015, playing alongside Elmo and Abby Cadabby, as part of an online-only Digital Storybook story called...   read more


Patient Voices: Bipolar Disorder

By drwong
April 2, 2017

By KAREN BARROW New York Times   Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition affecting around 60 million people worldwide that causes unusual and sudden shifts in mood and energy. What is it like to have bipolar disorder? How do you balance the mental ups and downs of this disease? Here, in their own words,...   read more


House Passes Bill To Help Vets With Mental Illness Buy Guns

By drwong
April 2, 2017

Objections that 20 veterans a day kill themselves, mostly with guns, did not stop the measure. By Michael McAuliff Huffington Post   WASHINGTON ― The House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday to allow thousands of veterans who are disabled or have mental health conditions to buy guns. Under a law signed by President George...   read more


Physicians reject House ACA replacement bill

By drwong
March 11, 2017

March 8, 2017 Andrew W. Gurman, MD President American Medical Association   The American Health Care Act (AHCA), released by Congress this week, is intended to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But as introduced, it does not align with the health reform objectives that the AMA set forth in January to protect...   read more


American Psychiatric Association Expresses Concerns Over Parts of New Health Care Bill

By drwong
March 11, 2017

Two committees of the House of Representatives today began consideration of the American Health Care Act, the Republican mechanism to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The process will not in fact eliminate the ACA. The current action takes place under complex rules in the House and Senate limited to spending and revenue. This...   read more


Health Groups Denounce G.O.P Bills as Backers Scramble

By drwong
March 11, 2017

Abby Goodnaugh, Robert Pear and Thomas Kaplan New York Times March 8, 2017   WASHINGTON — Influential groups representing hospitals and nurses came out on Wednesday against a Republican bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, joining doctors and the retirees’ lobby to warn that it would lead to a rise in the...   read more


Is a Teen Depressed, or Just Moody?

By drwong
February 20, 2017

The Checkup By PERRI KLASS, M.D. New York Times FEB. 13, 2017 The hardest questions pediatricians must routinely ask teenagers at checkups are those about depression and suicide. But they aren’t optional; we have to ask them, every time. From 2005 to 2014, the prevalence of depression — that is, the chance of having a...   read more