October 21,1999

Committee to Hold Hearing on the Use of Seclusion and Restraints in Mental Hospitals and Nomination Hearing

WASHINGTON-- Senate Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr. (R-DE) today announced the Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 26, 1999, at 10:00 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building to hear testimony on the use of seclusion and restraints in mental hospitals. The committee will also hold a hearing to consider the nomination of William A. Halter, to be Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.

The following witnesses are expected to appear before the Committee:

I. A panel consisting of:

The Honorable Christopher J. Dodd, Senator from Connecticut; Washington, D.C.

The Honorable Joseph I. Lieberman, Senator from Connecticut; Washington, D.C.

II. A panel consisting of:

Michael Hash, Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration; Washington, D.C.

III. A panel consisting of:

Leslie G. Aronovitz, Associate Director, Health Financing and Public Health Issues, General Accounting Office; Washington, D.C.

Terrance Johnson; Philadelphia, PA

Dennis Klima, President & CEO, Bayhealth, Inc.; Dover, DE

Laura Prescott, Executive Director and Founder, Sister Witness International; Worthington, MA

Charles E. Riordan, M.D.,Vice President for Medical Affairs, Saint Raphael Health Care System; New Haven, CT

Purpose:

The hearing is intended to create a forum for an objective presentation of alleged problems associated with the inappropriate use of seclusion and restraints in mental health hospitals. It will include a discussion of legislative and regulatory options to address problems raised in media reports and through the investigations of the General Accounting Office.

Nomination Hearing:

William A. Halter, nominated to be Deputy Commissioner, Social Security Administration; Washington, D.C.