• If you missed Wednesday’s post about Prescription for Change, the Consumers Union petition to the FDA to make it easier for consumers to report side effects of medications, I highly recommend checking it out.
• In other drug news, the AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Programs now have a total of three “AZ & Me” prescription assistance programs (particularly interesting for those of you who take Seroquel and Seroquel XR.
• Mental Health America has issued another call to action for us. This one regards proposed cuts in Medicaid funding for rehabilitative, case management, and school administrative services – all of which include mental health services and support of “Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008″ (H.R. 5613). Of course I sent a letter to my decision makers, but I had to giggle while I was doing so because I’m positive dear old Nick Rahall is getting tired of finding emails from me! God bless him, though. He always responds via snail mail with his views on the matter and a nice thank you. Find out if your decision maker(s) are cosponsoring H.R. 5613, and send a letter of support.
• Another update from Mental Health America: “No Health Without Mental Health,” Mental Health America’s 2008 Conference in Washington, D.C. is right around the corner (June 4-7), and Mental Health America President and CEO David Shern, Ph.D. has prepared a 30-second video to invite us all!
• Why is it that when states experience budget problems, health and education services are usually the first to suffer? I honestly don’t know which is worse: increased taxes, or decreased health services and laid off state employees. At this point, I’m pretty sure I feel the latter is much worse.
• New findings regarding genes and their relationship to schizophrenia could lead to new treatment options for managing the mental illness.
• Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have stumbled upon some findings they may not only help “test” patients for depression, but may also help speed along the process of finding the best antidepressant.
• And, I’m a bit late on reporting this, but better late than never, right? The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the reauthorization of the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (S. 2304) on March 9. According to the article, the bill “will help provide states and counties with the resources needed to design and implement collaborative efforts between the criminal justice and mental health systems.”

That’s all for this week, folks! If you think you have any Saturday Sanity-worthy news, send it my way before next Saturday!

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Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Drugs And Government Issues