H.R. 4897 would amend the Social Security Act and the Public Health Service Act to improve elderly suicide early intervention and prevention strategies.
Detailed Summary
Stop Senior Suicide Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Interagency Geriatric Mental Health Planning Council to coordinate and collaborate on the planning for the delivery of mental health services, to include suicide prevention, to older adults.
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase, through 2014 (when it will not be limited), payment for the treatment of mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders of an individual who is not an inpatient of a hospital at the time such expenses are incurred.
Requires the Secretary to award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to develop strategies for addressing suicide among the elderly.
Revises provisions requiring centers to provide appropriate information, training, and technical assistance on youth suicide to require such information, training, and assistance on suicide among all ages, particularly for groups that are at a high risk for suicide. Authorizes additional appropriations to carry out such changes.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 12/20/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Bea Ware
February 29, 2008, 4:02pm (report abuse)One of the ways to PREVENT suicide is to get rid of MISManaged care completely.
What seniors have to through with those God Damn HMOs is Elder ABUSE--plain and simple. AND all of that horror for minimal, mediocre so-called "care". It is infuriating. We need to get the insurance companies out of the business. They should not be making greater and greater profits by denying medical care. No wonder the doctors are now calling it the MEDICAL MAFIA.