Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
Vol. 48 No. 2 February 2010
By Deena Nardi, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
EXCERPT
The health care bills recently passed by both houses of
the U.S. Congress signal the first significant overhaul of health care by the
federal government since the advent of Medicare in the 1960s. The Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed by the House of Representatives
in fall 2009, and the Senate version was passed on Christmas Eve 2009, a time
when so many around the world are looking for some measure of peace and
comfort. What can be more appropriate to this outlook than an expectation that
affordable health care will be available to all when needed and that health
care would include essential mental health assessment and treatment?
AUTHOR
Deena Nardi, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN is Mental Health Provider and
Psychotherapist, Health and Wellness Center, Professor of Nursing and Director,
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, University of St. Francis Joliet, Illinois.
The author discloses that she has no significant financial interests in
any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this
activity, including research support.
doi:10.3928/02793695-20100108-05
