David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Parents send kids to foster care for mental health services
November 29, 2004
RICHMOND, Va. (Associated Press) -- A new study shows that thousands of Virginia parents have placed their children in foster care because they want their kids to get mental-health services.
The report shows that nearly a quarter of the children appeared to be in custody to obtain treatment for illnesses such as severe depression and bipolar disorder.
Private insurers and H-M-Os do NOT cover all of the costs of caring for these illnesses. And in many cases, the families make too much money to be eligible for Medicaid.
The General Assembly commissioned the study.
The report's recommendations to the legislature include increasing funding for mental health services for children. They also include helping families access private insurance for mental health services.
State lawmakers who have studied the issue say they will push for an immediate infusion of funding for the Comprehensive Services Act, which spent 236 (m) million dollars last year for mental health services.
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See also this thread on the closing of mental health facilities and the incarceration of mentally ill patients in prisons.
November 29, 2004
RICHMOND, Va. (Associated Press) -- A new study shows that thousands of Virginia parents have placed their children in foster care because they want their kids to get mental-health services.
The report shows that nearly a quarter of the children appeared to be in custody to obtain treatment for illnesses such as severe depression and bipolar disorder.
Private insurers and H-M-Os do NOT cover all of the costs of caring for these illnesses. And in many cases, the families make too much money to be eligible for Medicaid.
The General Assembly commissioned the study.
The report's recommendations to the legislature include increasing funding for mental health services for children. They also include helping families access private insurance for mental health services.
State lawmakers who have studied the issue say they will push for an immediate infusion of funding for the Comprehensive Services Act, which spent 236 (m) million dollars last year for mental health services.
=====
See also this thread on the closing of mental health facilities and the incarceration of mentally ill patients in prisons.