Bush to screen population for mental illness

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | June 21, 2004

[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."

[Sabertooth]

You couldn't have universal screening without the federal gov't paying for it.

Sure you could. Folks get attorneys without the government paying for all of them.

All that would be needed would be a central mental health database, provision for which is included in the report's recommendations.

BTW, how do you know that President Bush would like to impose a mandate on private insurance companies?

The third major obstacle to effective mental health care is the often unfair treatment limitations placed on mental health in insurance coverage. (Applause.) Many private health insurance plans have developed effective programs to identify patients with mental illnesses, and they help them get the treatment they need to regain their health.

But insurance plans too often place greater restrictions on the treatment of mental illness than on the treatment of other medical illnesses. As a result, some Americans are unable to get effective medical treatments that would allow them to function well in their daily lives.

Our health insurance system must treat serious mental illness like any other disease. (Applause.) And that was Senator Domenici's message to me at the Oval Office. (Laughter.) And it was Nancy's message when we had them up for dinner. (Laughter.) And I want to appreciate the fact that they have worked tirelessly on this problem. (Applause.)

I have a record on this issue. As the Governor of Texas, I signed a bill to ensure that patients who critically need mental health are treated fairly. Senator Domenici and I share this commitment: health plans should not be allowed to apply unfair treatment limitations or financial requirements on mental health benefits. (Applause.)

It is critical that we provide full -- as we provide full mental health parity, that we do not significantly run up the cost of health care. I'll work with the Senator. I will work with the Speaker. I will work with their House and Senate colleagues to reach an agreement on mental health parity -- this year. (Applause.)

We must work for a welcoming and compassionate society, a society where no American is dismissed, and no American is forgotten. This is the great and hopeful story of our country, and we can write another chapter. We must give all Americans who suffer from mental illness the treatment, and the respect, they deserve. (Applause.)
President Says U.S. Must Make Commitment to Mental Health Care
White House website | April, 2002

[Don Joe]

Feel free to write an opus, you poor thing.

Exactly WTF is your major malfunction?

If you don't like what I say, then either counter it with a reasoned response, of ignore it.

To keep insulting me, and demanding that I be silent -- or silenced -- does not speak well for your position.

[Dont Mention the War]

uh oh, I don't think the xanax has kicked in--see post 793 by you know who

Xanax is the Chinese food of benzodiazapenes. Take one and an hour later you're spazzing out again. ;)

Well, okay, four or five hours, but seriously, Xanax's half-life is almost nothing. For serious relief, go Valium!

[Don Joe]

he isn't capable of recognizing a BSer when he sees or hears one

Oh, I recognize... one, alright. No problemo there, dear.

that he needs his mama to figure it out for him.

My mother died of cancer in 1993. You will kindly leave her out of your vile raging.

Go figure.

Go to...

No, I'm not going to allow you to bait me any further. You can get your stimulation some other way.

[Judith Anne]

I don't want you silenced. I want everybody here to read your posts and see you for exactly what you are. But I do think this thread belongs in the Smokey Backroom, and has belonged there since YOU got ON IT.

Can you read?

[Sabertooth]

They are not going to get "EVERY" adult.

Doesn't really matter. If that's the goal, then solutions for meeting that goal will increasingly approach universal screening. They've already designed a program to screen a fifth of the population through the public schools, subject to parental consent. All of that info will go into a central database.

After a generation of that kind of conditioning, lots more avenues for universal screening will be found.

[Howlin]

You brought your mother into this, pal.

And rant all you want, you still posted an absolute falsehood about my posts on this thread and haven't been able to back it up.

[Don Joe]

Poor little Don Joe, all upset and in tantrum fit mode. Have I offended sweet little smug snookums, just when he was beginning to feel in charge of everyone elses emotions on this thread? Cry us a river.

Do you have any idea of how you sound?

Get over yourself.

If my statement about the value of the secret ballot is so troubling to you that it evokes the kind of... nonsense you posted above, then all I can suggest is that you seek the kind of help you're not likely to find on a computer BBS.

I believe everyone here knows exactly for whom you will cast your vote now.

Well that's pretty remarkable, seeing as how even I don't know who I'll be voting for.

Say, you wouldn't be delusional or anything, by chance?

Assuming that Mommie will let you out of the house long enough, and if you are old enough to vote and you can find the polling place.

As I told your little friend, my mother died of cancer in 1993. If you seek to provoke me by dragging her into your mire, well, you've succeeded.

If, on the other hand, you seek to bait me into typing the words I would speak to your face, and thus get kicked off FR, well, you've got another thing coming, dearie.

[Don Joe]

lol, yeah, and he'd do it too. He only listens to himself.

Well, well, well. That sure lasted a long time. Your "sincere" apology for attacking me lasted allll the way from post 754 to post 808.

Thanks for showing me what you're made of, "brother."

[Joe Hadenuf]

Why don't you get busy and write your REP and your SEN on this?

We have to convince them this is wrong?

Write your REP or SEN? You are joking right? It's like the endless millions busting into our country illegally, entering from God knows where. The SENs and REPs have received hundreds of thousands of mail, email, there have been polls that clearly show the American people want reduced legal immigration and demand something be done about the millions entering illegally. People have protested, voted, called thousands of talk shows, started web sites, and even spent their own time on the borders....And you suggest we write them more letters? We have to convince them this is undermining the country? You don't think they know this?

They never responded to me after *many* correspondence, and they were addressed to both beltway parties. Not one response.

So much for writing your Representitives and Senators. I can tell you first hand, it's an utter waste of time, and it's naive to even suggest it.

Do you remember how our gov't functions?

Trust me, most of us do now.

[Don Joe]

apparently his mama is away and he has the computer all to himself for a few thousand posts/

Still digging yourself in deeper, "Brother"?

Thanks for the repeated personal attacks, and thanks for the sanctimoniously BOGUS "apology" that you "sincerely" offered only a few posts above.

I think I've got you sized up for 'zactly what you are by now.

Thanks for making it easy to figure out.

You may now resume your nonstop series of personal attacks, "Brother."

[Judith Anne]

If you don't like what I say, then either counter it with a reasoned response, of ignore it.

Is that a direct order?

Make me.

[JudyB1938]

Once they identify the problem children, what will happen to the ones who do not respond to treatment? Will they be locked up BEFORE they commit their "prophesized" heinious crimes?

I was being sarcastic, but I tell you, I wish some of those serial killers had been identified in childhood and isolated from society.

On the other hand, this is a very dangerous precedent. Not ALL who meet the qualifying factors end up killing other people.

[NormalGuy]

Exorbitant spending on new drugs "robs from other forms of care such as job training and shelter program

What about robbing from my paycheck and pocket?
What will come first, the bankruptcy of socialism or equalization of zombies.?

Clearly any kid who is home schooled is at risk of not being normal. Winning all those spelling bees is not normal. Watch for them to be targeted. Then watch for their parents to be targeted as their behavior is obviously not normal.

5 year old kids who have already been taught discipline and manners will become desireable adoption targets for politically correct couples too busy with their careers to do the early childhood thing.

[Don Joe]

So the main purpose of this is just to up the meds!?

I don't know that it's even got a "main purpose" per se. Like all statist travesties, it exists to consolidate an increasing amount of power in the hands of the state, and, to emasculate the Constitution -- and the Bill of Rights in particular.

Now, that said, this little beastie looks like a real humdinger. About eleven Giant Steps in the wrong direction, to coin a phrase.

[Don Joe]

Wow! You must have a knack for getting all these women upset with you! Talk about vitriol...

No kidding.

Fortunately, I've got thick ankles.

[TigersEye]

On the other hand, this is a very dangerous precedent. Not ALL who meet the qualifying factors end up killing other people.

If it saves just one life....

[Judith Anne]

Thick ankles can be a sign of congestive heart failure. You might want to get that looked at.

[Don Joe]

LOL You gotta be kidding. This same bunch of biddies finds a new target every day.

Biddies?

Be careful, man. A few months ago I used the word "harpies" -- not in reference to anyone in particular -- and one of them went absolutely ballistic on me. I just about needed a double-ankle-transplant after I finally pried the teeth out of my argyles! :)

[Don Joe]

I don't want you silenced.

Um, sure, whatever you say, dear. I'll just file your taunt to write an opus under "misc. deranged net.crap" and be done with it, OK?