In response to a recommendation by the Executive Committee that after the May, 1978 meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, no meeting be held in states which have not ratified the Equal Rights Amendments, the Council decided to defer definitive action on the matter until there has been opportunity to discuss it in affiliate societies.
As a matter of information, it was noted that California has passed a law which permits all graduates of the four psychoanalytic institutes approved by the American in that state to register in the Division of Allied Mental Professionals. This registration permits them to hold themselves out to the public as psychoanalysts and to engage in psychoanalysis as an adjunct to teaching, training and research. This law distinguishes graduates from institutes approved by the American from graduates of non-approved institutes, who have been recognized as psychologists.
The Association has continued to work with the DSM III Committee of the American Psychiatric Association. The complaints about DSM III which have been voiced by analysts have apparently been heard and members of the Association will soon receive a questionnaire from Dr. Spitzer, Chairman of the DSM III Committee, requesting opinions about the proposed diagnostic system. There may also be requests to participate in trial evaluation of DSM III and the members are urged to respond to these requests.
Dr. Gaskill reported that the Committee on National Issues has forwarded a letter to the President's Commission on Mental Health, detailing the role of psychoanalysis in promoting mental health and urging that support of mental health services be considered at the same level as support of physical health services. The Committee has also forwarded to the President's Commission a statement, which it has been reported was very well received, on the importance of the confidentiality of mental health records.
Dr. Kairys presented to the Council suggestions for, and requested their advice about, procedure to be followed in the disbursement of Liddle funds. The Council voted that the Liddle Fund Committee become a standing committee and that grants from the interest of the fund be made by the Committee to institutes to be awarded to research candidates for payment of their analysis.
Dr. Joseph reported that the Association was to be site-visited on December 16 and 17 by the American Medical Association Committee for approval of its CME programs. Procedures are being developed to meet the requirement at both local and national levels. Dr. Joseph recommended that local societies develop a group of persons who can maintain contact with his committee in order to develop programs which will meet CME requirements.
Dr. Kaplan reported the reorganization of the Committee on Affiliate and Associate Membership. The chairman of this committee has been the President-elect of the Association. Since the President-elect serves for only one year, the Committee has lacked stability. Dr. Richard Simon will now be the Chairman of the Committee whose charge is to consider matters of importance and of interest to associate and affiliate members.
Dr. Karasic reported that the Committee on Social Issues is actively engaged in projects which concern the vulnerable child and corporal punishment. They are also interested in offering consultation services on legislative matters to congressmen and in developing a fund for research in psychoanalytic aspects of social issues.
Dr. Shevrin of the Michigan Psychoanalytic Society reported that because the “Blues” insurance plans had drastically reduced their coverage, the Michigan Association is instituting a class action suit on behalf of the patients whose mental health is in jeopardy by virtue of discriminatory action on the part of the “Blues” in regard to mental health services. The Michigan Society believes that the “Blues” practice in relation to mental health benefits differs from their practice in relation to other health benefits. Dr. Shevrin requested that the Michigan Society be permitted to use the mailing list of the American to request funds from members to support their suit. This request was granted. The Council agreed that, in addition to a letter from the Michigan Society, a letter from the President of the American should accompany the request. The President's letter should note that the Association is embarking on a new policy in supporting class action suits in an effort to influence third party payers to cover a substantial portion of the cost of mental health services.
A motion was passed that, in addition to taking the above action in the Michigan situation, the American establish a legal fund to support local societies in their struggles with insurance carriers.
Dr. Stanton reported the activities of the newly reorganized Committee on Scientific Activities. They have begun an attempt to establish ethical guidelines to be followed in pursuit of scientific activities.
Dr. Cooper reported that the Workshop for Mental Health professionals held on December 10th and 11th was a huge success. Over 500 people attended. Their response was enthusiastic and a preliminary estimate suggest that $30,000 was realized from this project.
Dr. Viola Bernard reported that the Committee on Community Psychiatry is actively pursuing three projects: 1) development of a curriculum on psychoanalysis in the community; 2) writing a book on relationships between psychoanalysis and the community and; 3) gathering responses from institutes in regard to their community activities.
Dr. Wallerstein reviewed the activities of the Psychoanalytic Fund for Research. Several grants have been made and the situation is so favorable that he is contemplating requesting funds from an outside source. In the meantime, he repeated his plea for support from the members of this Association.
Peer Review and PSR, co-chaired by Drs. Michels and Schlesinger, Offenkrantz and Altshul, continue to develop criteria for analyzibility and for review of ongoing analyses.
Dr. H. Schlesinger reported that a feasibility study on the effects of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis on physical and emotional health is underway. This study will require the examination of records from diverse sources, including the American.
Dr. Daniel Shapiro reviewed the tentative findings from the analysis of the responses to the questionnaire which has been distributed by the Committee on Psychoanalytic Practice. Dr. Shapiro requested, and the Council agreed, that the Committee be granted $6,000 for a two year period to prepare and distribute a narrative overview of their findings.
Dr. Joseph reported on the details of the type of malpractice insurance which is available to cover the activities of individuals and institutes. Details of these can be obtained by requesting a copy of his report from the Central Office.
Dr. Beigler reported that the decision in the Roe vs Doe case, in which a patient charged that confidentiality had been violated by publication of material which revealed the patient's identity, was favorable to the Association's position on confidentiality and could serve as a precedent for future decisions.
After a lengthy discussion of the policy which was to have started in 1981 to have only one scientific meeting a year, the Council voted to continue to have two scientific meetings a year.
Under new business, the Council was requested to make a statement on behalf of some persons in Argentina who are being persecuted because of their political beliefs. After discussion, during which it was pointed out that Argentinean analysts ask that we take no suit action, as it works to their disadvantage, the Council agreed to refuse this request.