Information related to managed care, behavioral health, Medicare, sustainability, and other administrative issues

Secretary Thompson Announces the Creation of a Bilingual Helpline, “Su Familia”

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the creation of the “Su Familia” National Hispanic Family Health Helpline (866–783–2645/866–SU–FAMILIA). Su Familia will help Hispanic families get basic health information about preventing and managing chronic conditions and will refer them to local health providers and federally supported programs, including the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
To read the press release, visit http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20030312.html

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Bush Would Cut $650 Million in Juvenile-Justice, After-School Grants

President Bush’s FY2004 budget proposal would eliminate a $250-million block grant for juvenile-justice programs and $400 million for after-school programs for at-risk children, the New York Times reported March 9. For more information, visit http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/funding/reader/0,1854,562119,00.html.

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Three Associations Unite to Protect Psychotropic Medication
From Mental Health Weekly 13(8)

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, the National Mental Health Association, and the American Psychiatric Association have joined forces to work to assure access to psychotropic medications among Medicaid beneficiaries with mental illness. For more information, visit http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/450051. (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required.)