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Why You Shouldn't Wait to Sign Up for Medicare Part B

By drwong
November 8, 2018

The New York Times By Paula Span Oct 26, 2018           Twenty years ago, George Zeppenfeldt-Cestero left his job as a hospital administrator in New York to open a one-person health care consulting firm. Since he was losing his employee medical coverage, he shopped around and bought a private health insurance...   read more


Spanking Is Ineffective and Harmful to Children, Pediatricians' Group Says

By drwong
November 6, 2018

The New York Times By Christina Caron Nov 5, 2018             Parents should not spank their children, the American Academy of Pediatrics said on Monday in its most strongly worded policy statement warning against the harmful effects of corporal punishment in the home. The group, which represents about 67,000 doctors,...   read more


Gun suicides far outpace gun homicides. Here's why that statistic matters.

By drwong
November 6, 2018

Los Angeles Times By Scott Martelle Nov 1, 2018             About two-thirds of gun deaths in the U.S. each year are suicides, traumatic and desperate acts that often lie at the nexus of mental illness and ready access to a firearm. Yet a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine finds...   read more


Program aims to revise conservatorship process for people with mental health issues

By drwong
October 27, 2018

The San Diego Union-Tribune By Gary Warth October 4, 2018             It could be a bit easier for judges in San Diego County to order people with mental issues into conservatorship next year under a new pilot program created by a recently signed bill. Whether it will be implemented, however,...   read more


Construction of Suicide Net Begins on Golden Gate Bridge

By drwong
September 28, 2018

Pyschiatric News By Linda M. Richmond Sept 13, 2018   Construction of a suicide-deterrent net is under way at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It is hoped to end the bridge’s standing as one of the world’s most popular suicide sites. Seventy-nine years after the first call to action to erect a barrier...   read more


APA Joins Health Organizations in Lawsuit Against Expansion of Short-Term Health Plans

By drwong
September 14, 2018

American Psychiatric Association Sept 14, 2018   Joining a coalition of seven mental health and health advocacy groups, APA filed suit today in federal court to invalidate a Trump administration rule on short-term, limited duration health plans. The coalition argued in its complaint that the final rule, issued last month by three federal agencies, violates the plain-English...   read more


California is sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars for mental health programs. Let's put it to use.

By drwong
September 14, 2018

Los Angeles Times By The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board September 10, 2018             Like much of the rest of the nation, California went only halfway toward keeping its promise to improve mental health care. It closed psychiatric hospitals, some of which were really just costly warehouses for the sick...   read more


Marijuana use is rising among pregnant patients. Not so fast, doctors warn

By drwong
August 29, 2018

Los Angeles Times By Jenny Gold Aug. 27, 2018             Marijuana may be losing its image as a dangerous drug, but mounting research suggests women should steer clear of it if they are pregnant or breastfeeding, according to new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The advice comes as more...   read more


With an epidemic of mental illness on the streets, counties struggle to spend huge cash reserves

By drwong
August 20, 2018

Los Angeles Times By Thomas Curwen Aug 19, 2018               When California voters passed a tax on high-income residents in 2004, backers said it would make good on the state’s “failed promise” to help counties pay for the treatment of the mentally ill. After nearly 15 years, Proposition 63...   read more


Tri-City Medical Center to reconsider decision to close psychiatric ward

By drwong
August 20, 2018

The San Diego Union-Tribune By Paul Sisson August 17, 2018             With just days to go before it was to shutter its psychiatric ward, Tri-City Medical Center announced Friday afternoon that its board of directors will hear public testimony and take a fresh vote on the matter next week. The Oceanside...   read more