The new medicare prescription drug program is starting to show results: Since the prescription program made its debut Jan. 1, some of the estimated 2 million mentally ill Americans covered because they receive both Medicare and Medicaid have gone without the drugs that keep their delusions, paranoia, anxieties or stress in check. Mental health service providers and advocacy organizations nationwide say they worry that scores are at high risk of relapse. Numerous people have been hospitalized.
"The continuation of medications is absolutely critical to keep them in community living," said Steven S. Sharfstein, chief executive of the Shepherd-Pratt Health System in Baltimore and president of the American Psychiatric Association. Last week, the association joined other mental health groups in a lengthy talk with Medicare officials about the myriad problems.
"I really don't know what the future will bring.... I have a very deep concern that psychiatric patients will suffer disproportionately," Sharfstein said. "If by the end of February or March, if [federal officials] haven't figured this out, we could have an epidemic on our hands."
Well, they did manage to win two elections. Unfortunately for us and the world, the ability to win an election isn't related to the ability to lead a country.
Posts: 16990 | Location: Lincoln Place, Granite City, IL, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
I work in the State System in a MHMR facility and I have seen some of the medications that were covered before no longer covered now. As an RN that sees "behaviors" on a large scale (300+ people facility) this can easily be a pretty scary proposition. And we are TRAINED for these behaviors this many people.
We have reduced almost half our population over the last decade or so to community placement of higher functioning Mentally Retarded and Duel Diagnosis patients. They face so many challenges and have lost so much to do that relocation to the Community and THEN have to deal with the loss of their stabilizing medications, too is just terrible.
My oldest son is on two medications for his hehaviors and thinking patterns related to his Autism.. Risperdal and Luvox. When he has NOT taken this medication for a single day, there is a significant change in how he can manage himself (and how WE can handle him ).
What is a true shame is the roller coaster the patients themselves face. It cannot be easy to feel yourself losing control, to KNOW what you will be facing because you can't afford the medicine that allows you to FUNCTION.
Posts: 9074 | Location: PA, USA | Registered: 06-05-02
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