This study found no evidence that use of antipsychotic medication in long-term care facilities was associated with increased hospital events or mortality.   

Simoni-Wastila, L., P. T. Ryder, et al. (2009). Association of antipsychotic use with hospital events and mortality among Medicare beneficiaries residing in long-term care facilities. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, 17(5), 417-27. DOI: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e31819b8936 http://journals.lww.com/ajgponline/Abstract/2009/05000/Association_of_Antipsychotic_Use_With_Hospital.9.aspx

This article examines the well-being of mentally ill Americans.  The authors find that access to care and financial protections have improved; however, those results have been limited to certain populations.  Access to care for individuals with mental health impairments appears to have been declined.  Additionally, the authors estimate that at least 7 percent of the population with serious and persistent mental illness is incarcerated.

Glied, S. A., & Frank, R. G. (2009). Better but not best: recent trends in the well-being of the mentally ill. Health Affairs, 28(3), 637-48. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.3.637 http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/short/28/3/637 

Authors:  Sherry A. Glied, Richard G. Frank.

The article explores the shift in prescription coverage for dual eligible mental health patients from Medicaid to Medicare Part D in 2006.  The authors note that a reduction in the number of plans and increases utilization of psychotropic drugs raises concerns about access to medication for individuals with mental illness.  The authors suggest possible changes to Medicare's enrollment and risk-sharing systems. 

Donohue, J. M., H. A. Huskamp, et al. (2009). Dual eligibles with mental disorders and Medicare part D: how are they faring? Health Affairs, 28(3), 746-59. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.3.746 http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/3/746 

This article assessed Medicaid physician fees between 2003 and 2008.  On average, fees increased 15.1 percent which was below the rate of general inflation and resulted in a reduction in real fees.  Medicaid fees closed a small portion of their gap relative to Medicare fees, resulting from increases in primary care and obstetrics. 

Zuckerman, S., A. F. Williams, et al. (2009). Trends in Medicaid physician fees, 2003-2008. Health Affairs, 28(3), w510-9. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.3.w510 http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/3/w510 

Authors: Stephen Zuckerman, Aimee F. Williams, Karen E. Stockley.

Using data from Southeastern Medicaid programs, this paper finds that, unlike with primary care, the impact of managed care settings on mental health provider satisfaction is minimal.  The authors note that variables relevant to everyday working conditions had important effects on job satisfaction. 

Isett, K. R., A. R. Ellis, et al. (2009). Managed care and provider satisfaction in mental health settings. Community Ment Health J., 45(3), 209-21. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19002581 

Authors: Kimberley R. Isett, Alan R. Ellis, Sharon Topping, Joseph P. Morrissey.

This study found that the reduced supply of public psychiatric beds increased suicide rates.  The study found no evidence that non-profit or for-profit bed supply compensated for public bed losses; however, greater community mental health spending lessened the effects.  The authors conclude that continued reductions in public mental health beds will increase suicide rates; however, increasing community mental health investments may be promising. 

Yoon, J., & Bruckner, T. A. (2009). Does deinstitutionalization increase suicide? Health Serv Res., 44(4), 1385-1405. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bpl/hesr/2009/00000044/00000004/art00017;jsessionid=7hch2t5n493l.alexandra 

Authors: Tim A. Bruckner, Jangho Yoon.