April 16, 1999

APA launched a biweekly e-mail news service, APA On-Line News, on March 19, to disseminate information rapidly to members about Association activities and events affecting psychiatry. More than 340 APA members had subscribed to APA On-Line News at press time-including 23 international members-and new subscribers continue to be welcome.

APA Medical Director Steven M. Mirin, M.D., told Psychiatric News, "APA On-Line News will keep members better connected to their Association and their profession by giving them brief, up-to-date reports on events in the mental health world. The best part is that it will take the member subscriber only about three minutes every other week to scan through the news and keep informed."

APA members interested in subscribing to APA On-Line News should visit APA's Web site at .

APA On-Line News covers legislative developments, FDA actions, changes in Medicare rules, managed care guidelines, annual meeting updates, and actions by the Board of Trustees and Assembly. The goal is to stimulate more grass-roots interest and action on issues important to psychiatry through rapid dissemination of news and information. Some news items will suggest specific actions members can take such as contacting legislators.

The free news service will complement other APA communication vehicles, including Psychiatric News, specialty newsletters, APAfastFAX, and APA's Web site, all of which will provide more detailed information.

More information is available by contacting Michael Powell in the Division of Public Affairs via e-mail at A HREF="mailto:mpowell@psych.org">mpowell@psych.org or by phone at (202) 682-6122.