Posted on 11/17/2004 7:40:01 AM PST by SeasideSparrow
Date: 2004-11-16 Tell Congress "NO Money For Mental Health Screening Of Kids!"
As many of you know—Dr. Laura doesn't lose any sleep over the little disagreements people have with each other. But when it comes to things that are harmful to children—Dr. Laura doesn't play around. So Dr. Laura asks each and every one of you to step up because it’s time for us take on the President of the United States!
Did you know there is a presidential initiative called The “New Freedom Commission on Mental Health” and they have issued a report recommending forced mental health screening for every child in America, including school age children?
This is a huge red flag and it is our responsibility to protect our children. Even officials of the respected Association of American Physicians & Surgeons (AAPS) decry what they see as “a dangerous scheme that will heap even more coercive pressure on parents to medicate children with potentially dangerous side effects.” One of the most “dangerous side effects” from anti-depressants commonly prescribed to children is suicide, regarding which AAPS added, “Further, even the government’s own task force has concluded that mental health screening does little to prevent suicide.”
Included in the current version of the appropriations bill is funding for grants to implement universal mental health screening for almost 60 million children, pregnant women, and adults in school.
The House has already voted to appropriate $20 million for the scheme, and the Senate wants to bump it up to $44 million. I don’t know what our President is thinking because this sort of plan is dangerous.
This is a private matter for parents, kids, and doctors. Children's health, especially mental health, is none of the government's business. Of course a tiny minority of children suffer from legitimate mental illnesses, but the widespread use of Ritalin and other drugs on youngsters who simply exhibit typical rambunctious, fidgety, and impatient behavior is nothing short of criminal. Children’s brains are still developing, and the truth is we have no idea what the long-term side effects of psychiatric drugs may be.
Dr. Karen Effrem, a physician who strongly opposes mandatory mental health screening, is concerned that mental health screening could be used to label children whose attitudes, religious beliefs, and political views conflict with the secular belief that dominates our schools.
Why are Congress and President Bush pushing this? Every single parent listening should be outraged and I am urging you to take action now.
We must do everything possible to retain responsibility and control over our children’s well-being. There is no end to the bureaucratic appetite to rule every aspect of our lives, including how we raise our children.
Dr. Laura wants you to contact Congress and tell them "NO money for mental health screening of kids!" We have to stop this before it’s too late.
Support from four key Senators is needed: Sen. Spector (R-PA) 202-224-4254 Sen. Stevens (R-AK) 202-224-3004 Sen. Harkin (D-IA) 202 224-3254 Sen. Frist (R-TN) 202-224-3344 Please call their offices and ask them to make sure the omnibus spending bill or final committee report on Labor/HHS appropriations includes the following language: “None of the funds made available for State incentive grants for transformation should be used for any programs of mandatory or universal mental-health screening that performs mental-health screening on anyone under 18 years of age without the express, written permission of the parents or legal guardians of each individual involved.” Also the Liberty Committee headed by U.S. Congressman Ron Paul of Texas with 22 other U.S. Representatives is spearheading action to stop this spending proposal. They need you to contact House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and tell him "NO money for mental health screening of kids!"
Mr. DeLay's office telephone number is 202-225-4000. His fax number is 202-225-5117. An E-mail form is at www.majorityleader.gov/CONTACT.ASP?a=form
Further information can be found at: www.thelibertycommittee.org/update11.15.04.htm
And Congressman Ron Paul has written extensively regarding this proposal: www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2004/tst091304.htm www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2004/tst092004.htm
Dear Bush-
You're outta line with this bulloney
Thanks for this info. I will take action.
PS Dr Laura Rocks!!!
Can anyone provide the House and Senate bill numbers? I believe this must not be allowed to happen and will do what I can to prevent it.
And, yes, Dr Laura rocks.
What planet is she on? ALL children have potentially dangerous side effects! The ones that seem the most harmless are actually the worst, because then you decide to produce another child! (/irony)
What appropriate is this? I don't believe it until I see the specifics. Sounds like a recommendation from a throw-away blue ribbon group.
This is absolutely pathetic. Talk about sticking a label and a stigma on someone.
This helps the American economy by stimulating sales of drugs. Besides, it's easier to control a nation of mind-numbed drug-heads. Terrible, cynical thoughts.
Google TMAP (Texas Medication Algorithm Project). The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation strikes again.
Mental health: a metaphor created to justify State power grabs.
Bingo.
bump
Why is it being pushed? I hate to admit it, for it gives fuel to even certain Lefties' fires, but, it's the buckeroonies from the Pharm Cos.
Thank you.
Welcome. The RWJF was a major player in Hillary's Health Care Task Force, and they bought the airtime for her Town Hall Meetings. They also pioneered the idea that gun ownership is a "health care issue" (doctors should ask their patients if they own guns, and that information should be part of the patient record), and they authored the DARE program. If it involves your health, or can be made to appear to, they want the government is charge of it, with them in a position to influence the bureaucrats making the decisions.
Oh, but he's just doing what the public demands of him. He has a mandate now, don'cha know. < /Bushbot >
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