Friday, February 6, 2015

Potential mental health care crisis feared as Alabama Psychiatric Services plans shut down


MOBILE, Ala. -- News of the Feb. 13 closing of Alabama Psychiatric Services (APS) has sent shockwaves throughout the membership of the Alabama Psychiatric Physicians Association, the state’s only association representing psychiatrists. APPA released comments from its president, Sandra K. Parker, MD, chief medical officer of AltaPointe Health Systems, about the closing, which affects 11 psychiatric care offices across Alabama. 

“We are stunned and saddened to hear that Alabama Psychiatric Services is closing,” Parker said late Wednesday in a written statement. “When the APPA Executive Council meets next week, we will discuss the significance of APS’s closing and the projected impact it will have on its 30,000 patients. The APPA will do what it can to identify service provision gaps caused by the closing, to help APPA members whose employment may be affected and to ascertain any way it can assist during this potential crisis in care.”

In recent years, the U.S. has seen major changes in health care – especially mental health benefits. The effects of those changes are being felt by those in the medical industry as well as those being served. There are fewer mental health providers in private practice or accepting new patients, and all but one state mental health hospital has closed. Unfortunately for those in need of mental health care, that can mean a reduction in access to care in addition to paying higher deductibles with less coverage – including less drug coverage.

Source: Alabama Psychiatric Physicians Association

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