Alert ---  Budget Vote  -- Special Provision on Access to Medications (Prior Authorization Requirement)  6/l3/07

 What?  The Senate budget contains a special provision that if passed, will limit choice, and access to medications for individuals with mental illness, by the inclusion of a requirement that drugs must be “prior authorized”  The intent is to save money by restricting access to more expensive drugs.

 Who?  The budget conferees need to hear from you (see attached list) 

When?  NOW!  The budget may be adopted as early as next week 

TALKING POINTS:   

§        Our system is already destabilized:  do not add more stressors by asking that people fail first on cheaper medicines.  This will simply mean more people will go to the emergency rooms and, worse yet, jails- adding even more costs to health care

§        Medications are important to treat mental illness which affects one in four adults

§        Mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the US – it is much cheaper and more humane to provide the necessary medications

§        One size does not fill all with psychiatric medications- these drugs have actions that affect each person differently

§        Two out of three people need to keep trying different medication combinations to get better

§        First generation antipsychotics are linked to alarming side effects (tardive dyskinesia) – involuntary twitching, contortions

NIMH says that individuals have unique responses to psychiatric medications, therefore they need MORE, not FEWER choices. 

 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) require Medicare Part D to cover all or substantially all drugs in three classes of psychiatric medications 

In a study by the American Psychiatric Association, it was found that over a half had problems accessing medications (dual eligibles- Medicare and Medicaid) and consequently: 

§        1 in 5 reported an increase in suicidal thoughts/behaviors

§        1 in 5 required an ER visit, and l in l0 required hospitalization!

URGE your legislator to vote against the special provision to require prior authorization of medications.  Call Today!!