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."
I know. After the way Ritalin was pushed on kids, I would think the government would be a little less gungho on pushing drugs to kids.
I think we should start by screening politicians. And the test is that if you want to be a politician, then you must be crazy.
This is scary and nothing to joke about.... My guess is it has nothing to do with either party ... even though Bush and the GOP seem to be the ones opening the door. I believe either party in office will back this policy... Who can be trusted top do this kind of testing?... Where are the children's rights advocates? Our nation will produce a generation of zombies. Is this the legal president being set by recent court cases,(parents verses state over medicating their children). Will it be another issue we realize years later we have been set up for, like abortion? ... Will parents who refuse to administer antidepressants to their children get them removed from their homes? Or go to detention centers? I am sick ... As bad as I would hate to vote for Kerry ,Bush will lose my vote if this idea is backed by his administration..
It would be better if President Bush would focus that power on the War Against Terror. Victory over the jihadists would improve the nation's mental health.
I think the mental test will be called "You Decide 2004"
It is a big deal, they could use this to make you or anyone incapable of owning firearms do to any form of "mental disorder". Plus the Dems/libs could use this to define just about anything as a mental disorder.
That's the whole idea! Divide and conquer.
And at this rate (and if this is true), he can start at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and keep his sorry shrinks away from me.
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"Trot out something like this *after* the election when folks will have time to take it seriously instead of as an election ploy."
You aren't serious are you? See my post #445. Plus the increase of Government and what NotQuiteCricket said in #36 needs to be considered also.
Absolutely, non-conformist/paranoid type. A previous poster mentioned that they could tie this into health coverage as well -- making it mandatory that way. That'll reel in those of us who's kids aren't in public school. This is simply sickening. The very sort of thing we expect the leftists to slip by us when they are in charge. With regulation such as this, how can we tell the difference?
I was thinking that next month in Boston would be a good starting point, but you're right. Hollywood would be better.
Thanks for the excellent contribution to this thread.
They have? Cite, please.
Silly goose. I remember the speech when it was given.
Your point is.....what?
Selective memory? You ask for someone for source info that is well contained in a speech you remembered when it was given.
Groupthink has clouded your memory I suppose.
Welcome to the POLICE STATE
I'm sure it would be; else, it wouldn't be an issue.
Thanks, but no thanks.
But of course, with the wonderful hand of Big Brother, if we don't go through with it, we'll be accused of all sorts of things up through and including collaborating with AQ.
Just damn.
I'm not saying I like the idea. I'm just saying the timing is even worse to do this while you are running for re-election.
Does he plan to make Tipper Gore his national spokesperson?
What a great way to implement "Gun Control"
Simply make everyone ineligible for firearm ownership....by diagnosis...
Wakkenhut a private provider of security services and prison management (asylum)...is looking like a pretty good investment opportunity...
Since the pharmacuetical companies could force (regardless of their hysteria producing politicans and media) anthrax and small pox shots on us...
They too will provide another investment opportunity...
Of course returning combat vets who have seen some serious action...(and buddies killed)
And also rape victims....if they make the mistake of seeking help...will also lose their rights to self defense (kinda ironic)
If it is true that the President would push this merely for the sake of the drug companies...
then why wouldnt he push other policy for the oil companies?
I hope this is a bogus story...very discouraging...the two party cabal must be overthrown...if America is to be free again...as the founders intended..
Of course patriotism or belief in American sovereignty will probably be viewed as a symptom
in need of a diagnosis...and a mind numbing drug of some sort...
Executive Order
Community-based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities
Fact Sheet
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to place qualified individuals with disabilities in community settings whenever appropriate, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. This order is issued consistent with the following findings and principles:
(a) The United States is committed to community-based alternatives for individuals with disabilities and recognizes that such services advance the best interests of Americans.
(b) The United States seeks to ensure that America's community-based programs effectively foster independence and participation in the community for Americans with disabilities.
(c) Unjustified isolation or segregation of qualified individuals with disabilities through institutionalization is a form of disability-based discrimination prohibited by Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), 42 U.S.C. 12101 et. seq. States must avoid disability-based discrimination unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity provided by the State.
(d) In Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999) (the "Olmstead decision"), the Supreme Court construed Title II of the ADA to require States to place qualified individuals with mental disabilities in community settings, rather than in institutions, whenever treatment professionals determine that such placement is appropriate, the affected persons do not oppose such placement, and the State can reasonably accommodate the placement, taking into account the resources available to the State and the needs of others with disabilities.
(e) The Federal Government must assist States and localities to implement swiftly the Olmstead decision, so as to help ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to live close to their families and friends, to live more independently, to engage in productive employment, and to participate in community life.
Sec. 2. Swift Implementation of the Olmstead Decision: Agency Responsibilities. (a) The Attorney General, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Education, Labor, and Housing and Urban Development, and the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration shall work cooperatively to ensure that the Olmstead decision is implemented in a timely manner. Specifically, the designated agencies should work with States to help them assess their compliance with the Olmstead decision and the ADA in providing services to qualified individuals with disabilities in community-based settings, as long as such services are appropriate to the needs of those individuals. These agencies should provide technical guidance and work cooperatively with States to achieve the goals of Title II of the ADA, particularly where States have chosen to develop comprehensive, effectively working plans to provide services to qualified individuals with disabilities in the most integrated settings. These agencies should also ensure that existing Federal resources are used in the most effective manner to support the goals of the ADA. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall take the lead in coordinating these efforts.
(b) The Attorney General, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Education, Labor, and Housing and Urban Development, and the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration shall evaluate the policies, programs, statutes, and regulations of their respective agencies to determine whether any should be revised or modified to improve the availability of community-based services for qualified individuals with disabilities. The review shall focus on identifying affected populations, improving the flow of information about supports in the community, and removing barriers that impede opportunities for community placement. The review should ensure the involvement of consumers, advocacy organizations, providers, and relevant agency representatives. Each agency head should report to the President, through the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with the results of their evaluation within 120 days.
(c) The Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall fully enforce Title II of the ADA, including investigating and resolving complaints filed on behalf of individuals who allege that they have been the victims of unjustified institutionalization. Whenever possible, the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services should work cooperatively with States to resolve these complaints, and should use alternative dispute resolution to bring these complaints to a quick and constructive resolution.
(d) The agency actions directed by this order shall be done consistent with this Administration's budget.
Sec. 3. Judicial Review. Nothing in this order shall affect any otherwise available judicial review of agency action. This order is intended only to improve the internal management of the Federal Government and does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by a party against the United States, its agencies or instrumentalities, its officers or employees, or any other person.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
June 18, 2001.
"this trivial issue"
This is not a trivial issue, this has serious reprecusions especially if libs/Dems get into power. It could make a lot of legal gunowners into "prohibited persons". They could make just about anything a mental disorder (heterosexuality, christianity, anti-abortion, anti-UN, anti-NWO, anti-communist, etc.)
American Socialism is just so damned well-meaning and clean-thinking that it's hard to oppose it!
But I'm sure there are some who will see this not as Socialism, but as Compassionate Conservatism.
In much the same way, my mother refers to 'meadow muffins' instead of the coarser 'horse-shit'.
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