From Poorhouses to Homelessness: Policy Analysis and Mental Health Care / Edition 2

by David A. Rochefort

Overview

Rochefort updates his classic comprehensive review of mental health policy issues in American society, beginning with early practices that predate the formal mental health system and ending with current debates about parity insurance coverage for mental illnesses, managed care, and Medicaid reform. At the same time, he provides a perspective on mental health policy analysis that draws on diverse work in the policy sciences, looks to both applied and theoretical concerns, and gives full recognition to the distinctive nature of mental health care problems. This new edition will be of enhanced value to policymakers in the mental health field as well as to students of American social welfare policy and public administration in general.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780865692701
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/30/1997
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	344
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

DAVID A. ROCHEFORT is Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at Northeastern University.

Table of Contents

Foreword by David Mechanic
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Introduction
Approaching Mental Health Policy Analysis
Historical Evolution of Mental Health Policy
U.S. Mental Health Care: The First Three Centuries
The Community Mental Health Revolution
Federal Retrenchment, Block Grants, and State Control
Theoretical and Political Perspectives
Mental Health Policymaking Cycles and Their Causes
Political Factors in Mental Health Policymaking and Service Delivery
Contemporary Policy Trends and Issues
The Challenge of Coordination
Mayor Koch, Joyce Brown, and New York City's Homeless Mentally Ill: A Case Study
Canadian Mental Health Services: The View from Nova Scotia
Mental Health Care and National Health Policy Reform
Deinstitutionalization: Practice and Promise
Conclusion
A System in Flux
Bibliography
Author Index
Subject Index

Editorial Reviews

4 Stars! from Doody

This book presents a laudable delineation of past and current federal and state policies in mental health care. This new edition provides up-to-date references and explains the evolution of mental health policies since 1992, when the first edition was published. The interdisciplinary approach aims to provide a clear understanding of the underpinnings of the often confusing state of mental health policy analysis. Rochefort explains both past and current theoretical goals and empirical constraints in the daunting task of clarifying mental health policy and its implications. Rochefort's tutelage provides consumers of public policy analysis with conceptual insight into how and why current policies exist. It also illustrates the implications of current policies and the ramifications of past policies. The book is a useful resource for a wide audience of researchers and students of policy analysis, as well as mental health specialists. Rochefort is a credible author given his extensive work on mental health policy analysis and his background in political science and public administration. The few illustrations are useful in clarifying some of the more complex ideas; more illustrations would be helpful, but are not necessary in light of Rochefort's delineative text. The pertinent and current references range from National Mental Health Association findings to psychiatry and political science articles to humanitarian commentaries. The table of contents and index are useful for researching specific areas; the format emphasizes the utility of the book as a beneficial reference. The book will clarify the conundrum of mental health policy analysis. It serves as a good introduction fornewcomers of policy analysis, and enriches understanding for those already acquainted with the field. Primarily, the book is intended for an academic audience, both students and researchers. Secondarily, mental health professionals will benefit from such a concise resource. As such, both libraries and bookstores should carry copies. The second edition is valuable because it adds information concerning new directions taken since 1992.

Virginia Galloway

Bridging the mental health and general health/welfare policy sectors, Rochefort (political science and public administration, Northeastern U.) provides an update from the 1992 edition on public policy debates, new and proposed changes in Medicaid and other relevant legislation, and a case study of New York City's homeless mentally ill. Context is provided on a system in flux by analysis of: the historical evolution of mental health policy, theoretical and political perspectives, and current policy trends and issues (the challenges of deinstitutionalization, coordination, and national health policy reform). Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

Reviewer: Virginia Galloway, BA (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This book presents a laudable delineation of past and current federal and state policies in mental health care. This new edition provides up-to-date references and explains the evolution of mental health policies since 1992, when the first edition was published.
Purpose: The interdisciplinary approach aims to provide a clear understanding of the underpinnings of the often confusing state of mental health policy analysis. Rochefort explains both past and current theoretical goals and empirical constraints in the daunting task of clarifying mental health policy and its implications.
Audience: Rochefort's tutelage provides consumers of public policy analysis with conceptual insight into how and why current policies exist. It also illustrates the implications of current policies and the ramifications of past policies. The book is a useful resource for a wide audience of researchers and students of policy analysis, as well as mental health specialists. Rochefort is a credible author given his extensive work on mental health policy analysis and his background in political science and public administration.
Features: The few illustrations are useful in clarifying some of the more complex ideas; more illustrations would be helpful, but are not necessary in light of Rochefort's delineative text. The pertinent and current references range from National Mental Health Association findings to psychiatry and political science articles to humanitarian commentaries. The table of contents and index are useful for researching specific areas; the format emphasizes the utility of the book as a beneficial reference.
Assessment: The book will clarify the conundrum of mental health policy analysis. It serves as a good introduction for newcomers of policy analysis, and enriches understanding for those already acquainted with the field. Primarily, the book is intended for an academic audience, both students and researchers. Secondarily, mental health professionals will benefit from such a concise resource. As such, both libraries and bookstores should carry copies. The second edition is valuable because it adds information concerning new directions taken since 1992.

Doody's Review Service