Posted on 06/21/2004 10:19:15 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
President Bush plans to unveil next month a sweeping mental health initiative that recommends screening for every citizen and promotes the use of expensive antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs favored by supporters of the administration.
The New Freedom Initiative, according to a progress report, seeks to integrate mentally ill patients fully into the community by providing "services in the community, rather than institutions," the British Medical Journal reported.
Critics say the plan protects the profits of drug companies at the expense of the public.
The initiative began with Bush's launch in April 2002 of the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, which conducted a "comprehensive study of the United States mental health service delivery system."
The panel found that "despite their prevalence, mental disorders often go undiagnosed" and recommended comprehensive mental health screening for "consumers of all ages," including preschool children.
The commission said, "Each year, young children are expelled from preschools and childcare facilities for severely disruptive behaviors and emotional disorders."
Schools, the panel concluded, are in a "key position" to screen the 52 million students and 6 million adults who work at the schools.
The commission recommended that the screening be linked with "treatment and supports," including "state-of-the-art treatments" using "specific medications for specific conditions."
The Texas Medication Algorithm Project, or TMAP, was held up by the panel as a "model" medication treatment plan that "illustrates an evidence-based practice that results in better consumer outcomes."
The TMAP -- started in 1995 as an alliance of individuals from the pharmaceutical industry, the University of Texas and the mental health and corrections systems of Texas -- also was praised by the American Psychiatric Association, which called for increased funding to implement the overall plan.
But the Texas project sparked controversy when a Pennsylvania government employee revealed state officials with influence over the plan had received money and perks from drug companies who stand to gain from it.
Allen Jones, an employee of the Pennsylvania Office of the Inspector General says in his whistleblower report the "political/pharmaceutical alliance" that developed the Texas project, which promotes the use of newer, more expensive antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs, was behind the recommendations of the New Freedom Commission, which were "poised to consolidate the TMAP effort into a comprehensive national policy to treat mental illness with expensive, patented medications of questionable benefit and deadly side effects, and to force private insurers to pick up more of the tab."
Jones points out, according to the British Medical Journal, companies that helped start the Texas project are major contributors to Bush's election funds. Also, some members of the New Freedom Commission have served on advisory boards for these same companies, while others have direct ties to TMAP.
Eli Lilly, manufacturer of olanzapine, one of the drugs recommended in the plan, has multiple ties to the Bush administration, BMJ says. The elder President Bush was a member of Lilly's board of directors and President Bush appointed Lilly's chief executive officer, Sidney Taurel, to the Homeland Security Council.
Of Lilly's $1.6 million in political contributions in 2000, 82 percent went to Bush and the Republican Party.
Another critic, Robert Whitaker, journalist and author of "Mad in America," told the British Medical Journal that while increased screening "may seem defensible," it could also be seen as "fishing for customers."
Exorbitant spending on new drugs "robs from other forms of care such as job training and shelter program," he said.
However, a developer of the Texas project, Dr. Graham Emslie, defends screening.
"There are good data showing that if you identify kids at an earlier age who are aggressive, you can intervene ... and change their trajectory."
Again, that's a logical fallacy.
Well, I'm outta here. The day crew should be arriving any time now, and God knows this thread needs some fresh blood -- and some fresh bloodletting. :)
Oh please, one thing's for darn sure, you have NO IDEA how snotty I can be. I'd play that game with ya, but I really don't have the time.
Somethin's flowin' alright. But you ain't runnin' against it.
Please don't post to me again. I'm done here.
They have? Cite, please.
You're cracking me up.
Believe it.
Believe that they have proposed this? Where did they do that? When?
Enquiring minds and all that...
We did that already.
He asked about my post in 236. So, I just pasted it here.
I am not trying to get you worked up.
Kinda reminds me of some people I've known in IT. They actually created (or perceived) "problems" where none actually existed (or could be solved with a little finesse) - in the sole interest of keeping their job(s). I guess these "teachers" (aka "parents", nannies, psuedo-shrinks) will damned near break their fingers waving those pencils furiously while dancing to the tune the cash register makes.
I bet this never happens in Saudi Arabia or China, or even Japan. It's all about setting limits in society, and has very little to do with "mental illness".
Mental Illness= Spoiled brats getting away with whatever they can. (Think: Bill Clinton)
As an aside: I think any article posted in a medical (Liberal Socialist) Journal is suspect. Let's wait to hear what the sponsors of this bill actually make a copy of it for us to read before we make a judgment.
(waving hand---pick me!)
Yes, I have.
I find it fascinating how many freepers push over old people, women and children in their dash to be first to decry what "Bush" or even WORSE, the dreaded "ROVE" has "done" when they haven't done a damn thing.
I am sick and tired of their (a certain freeper hysteric type) nonsense.
You're posts have been really excellent on this thread. Keep up the good work!
Congratulations, they elicited the desired response.
Now scamper over to WND and get your (pavlovian) doggie treat.
Reagan was not responsible for this. It was part of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act which was in planning before Reagan became guv.
This is a joke right? The GOP wants us all on drugs? hahahaha.
No big deal, the government also suggests you clean your teeth after each meal and they haven't shown up at your door yet to check that either.
Sounds like he wants those who are sick to get help if they need it and he isn't forcing them into it that I can see.
Aaah! It's the end of the Republic! The sky is falling! (/sarcasm)
By the way, don't read the entire thread if you have untreated hypertension.
It gets really bad.
The "Blame Bush" relay or something like that. Maybe the "Rove Rush" race.
LOL!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/04/20020429-1.html
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