Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Advocates Press N.Y. Lawmakers On Conversion Therapy Ban That's Been Blocked By Republicans Before
New York's mental health leaders are uniting to condemn psychological treatments designed to alter the sexual orientation of a minor. The New York State Psychiatric Association, the New York State Psychological Association and National Association of Social Workers' New York chapters on Tuesday urged lawmakers to outlaw conversion therapy, in which a counselor or psychologist attempts to change a minor's sexuality. (4/25)
In other mental health news —
New Hampshire lawmakers are trying to push through a last-minute effort this session to address the state’s ongoing shortage of treatment for those battling severe mental illness. The proposal has the strong support of Governor Chris Sununu. (Sutherland, 4/25)
When mentally ill inmates in New York City's Rikers Island jail become too sick, violent, delusional or suicidal for the jail to handle, they're sent to Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward for treatment. The inmates in Bellevue are awaiting trial for a variety of offenses, ranging from sleeping on the subway to murder. But for Dr. Elizabeth Ford, a psychiatrist who treats them, the charges against her patients are secondary. (Gross, 4/25)
