Which Way, L.A.?
California Overhauls Its Mental Health Department
Governor Brown cuts mental health programs to save money, and an LA hospital gives up psychiatric care and training mental health professionals. What's the likely outcome?
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenGovernor Brown is cutting state mental health programs to save money, but claims there will be an improvement in patient care. Meantime, the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles is giving up psychiatric care and phasing out the program that's trained many local professionals both public and private. We hear from the state, LA County and California psychiatrists. Also, as another editor resigns from the LA Times, are more cutbacks in store? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, holiday sausage-making on Capitol Hill.
Banner image: ogaudemar/flickr
In this episode
3 storiesIs Mental Health Care on the Decline?
After five years of federal oversight because of poor treatment of patients, state hospitals in Atascadero and San Bernardino have been released. But last Friday, federal lawyers sought to extend oversight for the hospitals in Napa and Norwalk, saying they've failed to keep patients safe from harm and even death.
Read the story20 minLA Times Top Editor Quits while Paper Plans More Cuts
The Los Angeles Times has lost its fourth editor since the paper was sold to the Tribune Company. Russ Stanton took the job in 2008, and presided over a massive staff reduction, from 900 down to 550. Stanton resigned this week , amid reports that a new round of cuts is in store. Lucas Shaw is media reporter for The Wrap.com .
Read the story6 minA Divided Congress Gets to Work before Winter Break
Another holiday means another deadline for important legislation in Congress, and opportunities for each political party to embarrass the other. Last night, the Republican House passed a bill extending payroll tax cuts and unemployment insurance. An hour later, the Senate's Democratic Leader, Harry Reid, called it " dead on arrival ."
Read the story25 min
