CALL TO ACTION: New Freedom Commission Funding

[Guest guest]

Here is how Bush wants to fund the mental health screening of America, here is

how to stop it.

I'm forwarding this for everyone who will be contacting their Senators so they

will know what to say when discussing forced mental health screening and the

omnibus appropriations bill and the " State incentive grants for transformation "

This is very important and really one of the only ways we can change things on a

personal basis, to inform our representatives and make sure they understand

whats really going on. Everyone on this group is very well informed about whats

really happening in health care and specifically in the mental health care

treatment. The drugs

make this country a lot of money but at what cost.

We do not want the " State Incentive Grants for Transformation " that is in the

Omnibus Appropritations bill.

Best,

Jim

Here are some links that can help.

http://appropriations.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail & PressR\

elease_id=341

DEAR SUPPORTERS:

If anyone gets comments from Senate staff about mandatory mental health

screening not being in the language of the Omnibus appropriations bill, here is

a point of clarification:

The appropriations bill line-item that deals with funding the New Freedom

Commission on Mental Health (NFC) are the " State Incentive Grants for

Transformation. "

The so-called " transformation " is from the current mental health system to what

is being proposed by the NFC. Here is what the pro-mental health Bazelon Mental

Health Policy Reporter stated in a July 9th article:

The (House) Subcommittee approved $20 million for the State Incentive

Transformation Grants (SIGs)-critical new federal dollars to begin realizing the

vision of the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. However, the President

had requested $44 million for the grants, so $24 million would still be needed

to fund the grants at that level without taking money from other mental health

priorities.

Under the President's proposed budget, 14 states could receive grants in fiscal

year 2005. In anticipation, some states have already formed commissions tasked

with developing plans to restructure their crumbling public mental health

systems into efficient, effective and " seamless " service-delivery systems for

adults and children with mental health needs.

While the grants won't fully address the dire need to reform disintegrating

state mental health systems, even limited funding of the SIGs is a vital first

step toward realizing the Commission's important vision of a transformed public

mental health system. (emphasis added)

Now when you re-read the following article (I've bolded key parts), it should be

very clear that the funding of the State Incentive Grants for Transformation

(SIGs) should be stopped, as the entire emphasis is on setting up the new

screening procedures. Barring that, the parental consent provision being put

forth by Congressman Ron and more than 20 others should be adopted.

Keep calling or emailing your Senators - they did not vote today!!!

MESSAGE: I urge the Senator to vote to stop the funding of the State Incentive

Grants for Transformation (SIGs) in the appropriations bill, that would fund the

New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Initiative. I do not want any kind of

mandatory or universal mental health screening funded.

Dockx

Governmental Affairs

CCHR International

Reprinted from NewsMax.com

Doctors Group Opposes Mandatory Mental Health Tests for Kids

Dave Eberhart, NewsMax.com

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004

Under new law being considered, the federal government would require that every

child in America undergo psychological screening and receive recommended

treatment, including drug therapies.

Next week the Senate re-convenes to consider an omnibus appropriations bill that

includes funding for grants to implement mandatory universal mental health

screening for almost 60 million children, pregnant women, and adults through

schools and pre-schools.

But officials of the respected Association of American Physicians & Surgeons

(AAPS) decry what they see as " a dangerous scheme that will heap even more

coercive pressure on parents to medicate children with potentially dangerous

side effects. "

One of the most " dangerous side effects " from anti-depressants commonly

prescribed to children is suicide, regarding which AAPS added, " Further, even

the government's own task force has concluded that mental health screening does

little to prevent suicide. "

The bill would fund initiatives of the " New Freedom Commission on Mental

Health, " including a program designed to subject every school age child in the

country to psychological testing and recommendations for treatment. The House

has already voted to appropriate $20 million for the plan, and the Senate will

be considering whether to bump it up to $44 million.

Last September, AAPS lifetime member Rep. Ron , M.D., R-Tex., tried to stop

the plan by offering an amendment to the Labor, HHS, and Education

Appropriations Act for FY 2005. The amendment received 95 " yes " votes, but it

failed to pass.

tells NewsMax: " At issue is the fundamental right of parents to decide what

medical treatment is appropriate for their children. The notion of federal

bureaucrats ordering potentially millions of youngsters to take psychotropic

drugs like Ritalin strikes an emotional chord with American parents, who are

sick of relinquishing more and more parental control to government.

" Once created, federal programs are nearly impossible to eliminate. Anyone who

understands bureaucracies knows they assume more and more power incrementally. A

few scattered state programs over time will be replaced by a federal program

implemented in a few select cities. Once the limited federal program is

accepted, it will be expanded nationwide. Once in place throughout the country,

the screening program will become mandatory.

" Soviet communists attempted to paint all opposition to the state as mental

illness. It now seems our own federal government wants to create a therapeutic

nanny state, beginning with schoolchildren. It's not hard to imagine a time 20

or 30 years from now when government psychiatrists stigmatize children whose

religious, social, or political values do not comport with those of the

politically correct, secular state.

" American parents must do everything they can to remain responsible for their

children's well-being. If we allow government to become intimately involved with

our children's minds and bodies, we will have lost the final vestiges of

parental authority. Strong families are the last line of defense against an

overreaching bureaucratic state. "

" Congressman and several of his colleagues will never give up, " adds an

AAPS spokesperson. " He and his colleagues have drafted a letter to Chairman

Ralph Regula, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human

Services, Education Appropriations, asking for his help. "

The letter states in part:

" We respectfully request that the following language be included in the final

committee report on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2005, or any report accompanying an omnibus

bill containing the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

appropriations for fiscal year 2005:

'None of the funds made available for State incentive grants for transformation

should be used for any programs of mandatory or universal mental-health

screening that performs mental-health screening on anyone under 18 years of age

without the express, written permission of the parents or legal guardians of

each individual involved.' "

By way of background: in April 2002, President W. Bush created the New

Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Its objective was to enhance mental health

services to those in need.

Among other things, the commission concluded that there is a need to search for

mental disorders - especially in children - and the best way to do this was with

mandatory mental health screening for everyone, starting with preschoolers.

According to the Commission's 2003 report: " Quality screening and early

intervention should occur in readily accessible, low-stigma settings, such as

primary health care facilities and schools. "

The report goes on to say: " ...the extent, severity, and far-reaching

consequences make it imperative that our Nation adopt a comprehensive, systemic

approach to improving the mental health status of children. "

However, critics of the plan suggest that the random testing of millions of

people makes little sense to anyone but the drug companies that will stand to

profit from the potential customers.

The New Freedom Commission's proposed treatment programs are based on the Texas

Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP). TMAP, which was first used in Texas in 1996

and has since expanded to other states, is a set of very specific medication

recommendations - most of them new, expensive, psychotropic drugs.

Despite the criticisms, the White House has remained solid behind the testing

initiative, noting that the commission found that schools are in a " key

position " to influence the phenomena of young children being " expelled from

preschools and childcare facilities for severely disruptive behaviors and

emotional disorders. "

But detractors are just as adamant that " problem " children in schools are

readily identifiable, making the universal testing an unnecessary tool that does

nothing but infringe on a parent's right to make decisions regarding their

child's welfare.

[Guest guest]

Here is how Bush wants to fund the mental health screening of America, here is

how to stop it.

I'm forwarding this for everyone who will be contacting their Senators so they

will know what to say when discussing forced mental health screening and the

omnibus appropriations bill and the " State incentive grants for transformation "

This is very important and really one of the only ways we can change things on a

personal basis, to inform our representatives and make sure they understand

whats really going on. Everyone on this group is very well informed about whats

really happening in health care and specifically in the mental health care

treatment. The drugs

make this country a lot of money but at what cost.

We do not want the " State Incentive Grants for Transformation " that is in the

Omnibus Appropritations bill.

Best,

Jim

Here are some links that can help.

http://appropriations.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail & PressR\

elease_id=341

DEAR SUPPORTERS:

If anyone gets comments from Senate staff about mandatory mental health

screening not being in the language of the Omnibus appropriations bill, here is

a point of clarification:

The appropriations bill line-item that deals with funding the New Freedom

Commission on Mental Health (NFC) are the " State Incentive Grants for

Transformation. "

The so-called " transformation " is from the current mental health system to what

is being proposed by the NFC. Here is what the pro-mental health Bazelon Mental

Health Policy Reporter stated in a July 9th article:

The (House) Subcommittee approved $20 million for the State Incentive

Transformation Grants (SIGs)-critical new federal dollars to begin realizing the

vision of the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. However, the President

had requested $44 million for the grants, so $24 million would still be needed

to fund the grants at that level without taking money from other mental health

priorities.

Under the President's proposed budget, 14 states could receive grants in fiscal

year 2005. In anticipation, some states have already formed commissions tasked

with developing plans to restructure their crumbling public mental health

systems into efficient, effective and " seamless " service-delivery systems for

adults and children with mental health needs.

While the grants won't fully address the dire need to reform disintegrating

state mental health systems, even limited funding of the SIGs is a vital first

step toward realizing the Commission's important vision of a transformed public

mental health system. (emphasis added)

Now when you re-read the following article (I've bolded key parts), it should be

very clear that the funding of the State Incentive Grants for Transformation

(SIGs) should be stopped, as the entire emphasis is on setting up the new

screening procedures. Barring that, the parental consent provision being put

forth by Congressman Ron and more than 20 others should be adopted.

Keep calling or emailing your Senators - they did not vote today!!!

MESSAGE: I urge the Senator to vote to stop the funding of the State Incentive

Grants for Transformation (SIGs) in the appropriations bill, that would fund the

New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Initiative. I do not want any kind of

mandatory or universal mental health screening funded.

Dockx

Governmental Affairs

CCHR International

Reprinted from NewsMax.com

Doctors Group Opposes Mandatory Mental Health Tests for Kids

Dave Eberhart, NewsMax.com

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004

Under new law being considered, the federal government would require that every

child in America undergo psychological screening and receive recommended

treatment, including drug therapies.

Next week the Senate re-convenes to consider an omnibus appropriations bill that

includes funding for grants to implement mandatory universal mental health

screening for almost 60 million children, pregnant women, and adults through

schools and pre-schools.

But officials of the respected Association of American Physicians & Surgeons

(AAPS) decry what they see as " a dangerous scheme that will heap even more

coercive pressure on parents to medicate children with potentially dangerous

side effects. "

One of the most " dangerous side effects " from anti-depressants commonly

prescribed to children is suicide, regarding which AAPS added, " Further, even

the government's own task force has concluded that mental health screening does

little to prevent suicide. "

The bill would fund initiatives of the " New Freedom Commission on Mental

Health, " including a program designed to subject every school age child in the

country to psychological testing and recommendations for treatment. The House

has already voted to appropriate $20 million for the plan, and the Senate will

be considering whether to bump it up to $44 million.

Last September, AAPS lifetime member Rep. Ron , M.D., R-Tex., tried to stop

the plan by offering an amendment to the Labor, HHS, and Education

Appropriations Act for FY 2005. The amendment received 95 " yes " votes, but it

failed to pass.

tells NewsMax: " At issue is the fundamental right of parents to decide what

medical treatment is appropriate for their children. The notion of federal

bureaucrats ordering potentially millions of youngsters to take psychotropic

drugs like Ritalin strikes an emotional chord with American parents, who are

sick of relinquishing more and more parental control to government.

" Once created, federal programs are nearly impossible to eliminate. Anyone who

understands bureaucracies knows they assume more and more power incrementally. A

few scattered state programs over time will be replaced by a federal program

implemented in a few select cities. Once the limited federal program is

accepted, it will be expanded nationwide. Once in place throughout the country,

the screening program will become mandatory.

" Soviet communists attempted to paint all opposition to the state as mental

illness. It now seems our own federal government wants to create a therapeutic

nanny state, beginning with schoolchildren. It's not hard to imagine a time 20

or 30 years from now when government psychiatrists stigmatize children whose

religious, social, or political values do not comport with those of the

politically correct, secular state.

" American parents must do everything they can to remain responsible for their

children's well-being. If we allow government to become intimately involved with

our children's minds and bodies, we will have lost the final vestiges of

parental authority. Strong families are the last line of defense against an

overreaching bureaucratic state. "

" Congressman and several of his colleagues will never give up, " adds an

AAPS spokesperson. " He and his colleagues have drafted a letter to Chairman

Ralph Regula, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human

Services, Education Appropriations, asking for his help. "

The letter states in part:

" We respectfully request that the following language be included in the final

committee report on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2005, or any report accompanying an omnibus

bill containing the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

appropriations for fiscal year 2005:

'None of the funds made available for State incentive grants for transformation

should be used for any programs of mandatory or universal mental-health

screening that performs mental-health screening on anyone under 18 years of age

without the express, written permission of the parents or legal guardians of

each individual involved.' "

By way of background: in April 2002, President W. Bush created the New

Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Its objective was to enhance mental health

services to those in need.

Among other things, the commission concluded that there is a need to search for

mental disorders - especially in children - and the best way to do this was with

mandatory mental health screening for everyone, starting with preschoolers.

According to the Commission's 2003 report: " Quality screening and early

intervention should occur in readily accessible, low-stigma settings, such as

primary health care facilities and schools. "

The report goes on to say: " ...the extent, severity, and far-reaching

consequences make it imperative that our Nation adopt a comprehensive, systemic

approach to improving the mental health status of children. "

However, critics of the plan suggest that the random testing of millions of

people makes little sense to anyone but the drug companies that will stand to

profit from the potential customers.

The New Freedom Commission's proposed treatment programs are based on the Texas

Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP). TMAP, which was first used in Texas in 1996

and has since expanded to other states, is a set of very specific medication

recommendations - most of them new, expensive, psychotropic drugs.

Despite the criticisms, the White House has remained solid behind the testing

initiative, noting that the commission found that schools are in a " key

position " to influence the phenomena of young children being " expelled from

preschools and childcare facilities for severely disruptive behaviors and

emotional disorders. "

But detractors are just as adamant that " problem " children in schools are

readily identifiable, making the universal testing an unnecessary tool that does

nothing but infringe on a parent's right to make decisions regarding their

child's welfare.

[Guest guest]

Here is how Bush wants to fund the mental health screening of America, here is

how to stop it.

I'm forwarding this for everyone who will be contacting their Senators so they

will know what to say when discussing forced mental health screening and the

omnibus appropriations bill and the " State incentive grants for transformation "

This is very important and really one of the only ways we can change things on a

personal basis, to inform our representatives and make sure they understand

whats really going on. Everyone on this group is very well informed about whats

really happening in health care and specifically in the mental health care

treatment. The drugs

make this country a lot of money but at what cost.

We do not want the " State Incentive Grants for Transformation " that is in the

Omnibus Appropritations bill.

Best,

Jim

Here are some links that can help.

http://appropriations.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail & PressR\

elease_id=341

DEAR SUPPORTERS:

If anyone gets comments from Senate staff about mandatory mental health

screening not being in the language of the Omnibus appropriations bill, here is

a point of clarification:

The appropriations bill line-item that deals with funding the New Freedom

Commission on Mental Health (NFC) are the " State Incentive Grants for

Transformation. "

The so-called " transformation " is from the current mental health system to what

is being proposed by the NFC. Here is what the pro-mental health Bazelon Mental

Health Policy Reporter stated in a July 9th article:

The (House) Subcommittee approved $20 million for the State Incentive

Transformation Grants (SIGs)-critical new federal dollars to begin realizing the

vision of the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. However, the President

had requested $44 million for the grants, so $24 million would still be needed

to fund the grants at that level without taking money from other mental health

priorities.

Under the President's proposed budget, 14 states could receive grants in fiscal

year 2005. In anticipation, some states have already formed commissions tasked

with developing plans to restructure their crumbling public mental health

systems into efficient, effective and " seamless " service-delivery systems for

adults and children with mental health needs.

While the grants won't fully address the dire need to reform disintegrating

state mental health systems, even limited funding of the SIGs is a vital first

step toward realizing the Commission's important vision of a transformed public

mental health system. (emphasis added)

Now when you re-read the following article (I've bolded key parts), it should be

very clear that the funding of the State Incentive Grants for Transformation

(SIGs) should be stopped, as the entire emphasis is on setting up the new

screening procedures. Barring that, the parental consent provision being put

forth by Congressman Ron and more than 20 others should be adopted.

Keep calling or emailing your Senators - they did not vote today!!!

MESSAGE: I urge the Senator to vote to stop the funding of the State Incentive

Grants for Transformation (SIGs) in the appropriations bill, that would fund the

New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Initiative. I do not want any kind of

mandatory or universal mental health screening funded.

Dockx

Governmental Affairs

CCHR International

Reprinted from NewsMax.com

Doctors Group Opposes Mandatory Mental Health Tests for Kids

Dave Eberhart, NewsMax.com

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004

Under new law being considered, the federal government would require that every

child in America undergo psychological screening and receive recommended

treatment, including drug therapies.

Next week the Senate re-convenes to consider an omnibus appropriations bill that

includes funding for grants to implement mandatory universal mental health

screening for almost 60 million children, pregnant women, and adults through

schools and pre-schools.

But officials of the respected Association of American Physicians & Surgeons

(AAPS) decry what they see as " a dangerous scheme that will heap even more

coercive pressure on parents to medicate children with potentially dangerous

side effects. "

One of the most " dangerous side effects " from anti-depressants commonly

prescribed to children is suicide, regarding which AAPS added, " Further, even

the government's own task force has concluded that mental health screening does

little to prevent suicide. "

The bill would fund initiatives of the " New Freedom Commission on Mental

Health, " including a program designed to subject every school age child in the

country to psychological testing and recommendations for treatment. The House

has already voted to appropriate $20 million for the plan, and the Senate will

be considering whether to bump it up to $44 million.

Last September, AAPS lifetime member Rep. Ron , M.D., R-Tex., tried to stop

the plan by offering an amendment to the Labor, HHS, and Education

Appropriations Act for FY 2005. The amendment received 95 " yes " votes, but it

failed to pass.

tells NewsMax: " At issue is the fundamental right of parents to decide what

medical treatment is appropriate for their children. The notion of federal

bureaucrats ordering potentially millions of youngsters to take psychotropic

drugs like Ritalin strikes an emotional chord with American parents, who are

sick of relinquishing more and more parental control to government.

" Once created, federal programs are nearly impossible to eliminate. Anyone who

understands bureaucracies knows they assume more and more power incrementally. A

few scattered state programs over time will be replaced by a federal program

implemented in a few select cities. Once the limited federal program is

accepted, it will be expanded nationwide. Once in place throughout the country,

the screening program will become mandatory.

" Soviet communists attempted to paint all opposition to the state as mental

illness. It now seems our own federal government wants to create a therapeutic

nanny state, beginning with schoolchildren. It's not hard to imagine a time 20

or 30 years from now when government psychiatrists stigmatize children whose

religious, social, or political values do not comport with those of the

politically correct, secular state.

" American parents must do everything they can to remain responsible for their

children's well-being. If we allow government to become intimately involved with

our children's minds and bodies, we will have lost the final vestiges of

parental authority. Strong families are the last line of defense against an

overreaching bureaucratic state. "

" Congressman and several of his colleagues will never give up, " adds an

AAPS spokesperson. " He and his colleagues have drafted a letter to Chairman

Ralph Regula, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human

Services, Education Appropriations, asking for his help. "

The letter states in part:

" We respectfully request that the following language be included in the final

committee report on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2005, or any report accompanying an omnibus

bill containing the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

appropriations for fiscal year 2005:

'None of the funds made available for State incentive grants for transformation

should be used for any programs of mandatory or universal mental-health

screening that performs mental-health screening on anyone under 18 years of age

without the express, written permission of the parents or legal guardians of

each individual involved.' "

By way of background: in April 2002, President W. Bush created the New

Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Its objective was to enhance mental health

services to those in need.

Among other things, the commission concluded that there is a need to search for

mental disorders - especially in children - and the best way to do this was with

mandatory mental health screening for everyone, starting with preschoolers.

According to the Commission's 2003 report: " Quality screening and early

intervention should occur in readily accessible, low-stigma settings, such as

primary health care facilities and schools. "

The report goes on to say: " ...the extent, severity, and far-reaching

consequences make it imperative that our Nation adopt a comprehensive, systemic

approach to improving the mental health status of children. "

However, critics of the plan suggest that the random testing of millions of

people makes little sense to anyone but the drug companies that will stand to

profit from the potential customers.

The New Freedom Commission's proposed treatment programs are based on the Texas

Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP). TMAP, which was first used in Texas in 1996

and has since expanded to other states, is a set of very specific medication

recommendations - most of them new, expensive, psychotropic drugs.

Despite the criticisms, the White House has remained solid behind the testing

initiative, noting that the commission found that schools are in a " key

position " to influence the phenomena of young children being " expelled from

preschools and childcare facilities for severely disruptive behaviors and

emotional disorders. "

But detractors are just as adamant that " problem " children in schools are

readily identifiable, making the universal testing an unnecessary tool that does

nothing but infringe on a parent's right to make decisions regarding their

child's welfare.

[Guest guest]

Here is how Bush wants to fund the mental health screening of America, here is

how to stop it.

I'm forwarding this for everyone who will be contacting their Senators so they

will know what to say when discussing forced mental health screening and the

omnibus appropriations bill and the " State incentive grants for transformation "

This is very important and really one of the only ways we can change things on a

personal basis, to inform our representatives and make sure they understand

whats really going on. Everyone on this group is very well informed about whats

really happening in health care and specifically in the mental health care

treatment. The drugs

make this country a lot of money but at what cost.

We do not want the " State Incentive Grants for Transformation " that is in the

Omnibus Appropritations bill.

Best,

Jim

Here are some links that can help.

http://appropriations.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail & PressR\

elease_id=341

DEAR SUPPORTERS:

If anyone gets comments from Senate staff about mandatory mental health

screening not being in the language of the Omnibus appropriations bill, here is

a point of clarification:

The appropriations bill line-item that deals with funding the New Freedom

Commission on Mental Health (NFC) are the " State Incentive Grants for

Transformation. "

The so-called " transformation " is from the current mental health system to what

is being proposed by the NFC. Here is what the pro-mental health Bazelon Mental

Health Policy Reporter stated in a July 9th article:

The (House) Subcommittee approved $20 million for the State Incentive

Transformation Grants (SIGs)-critical new federal dollars to begin realizing the

vision of the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. However, the President

had requested $44 million for the grants, so $24 million would still be needed

to fund the grants at that level without taking money from other mental health

priorities.

Under the President's proposed budget, 14 states could receive grants in fiscal

year 2005. In anticipation, some states have already formed commissions tasked

with developing plans to restructure their crumbling public mental health

systems into efficient, effective and " seamless " service-delivery systems for

adults and children with mental health needs.

While the grants won't fully address the dire need to reform disintegrating

state mental health systems, even limited funding of the SIGs is a vital first

step toward realizing the Commission's important vision of a transformed public

mental health system. (emphasis added)

Now when you re-read the following article (I've bolded key parts), it should be

very clear that the funding of the State Incentive Grants for Transformation

(SIGs) should be stopped, as the entire emphasis is on setting up the new

screening procedures. Barring that, the parental consent provision being put

forth by Congressman Ron and more than 20 others should be adopted.

Keep calling or emailing your Senators - they did not vote today!!!

MESSAGE: I urge the Senator to vote to stop the funding of the State Incentive

Grants for Transformation (SIGs) in the appropriations bill, that would fund the

New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Initiative. I do not want any kind of

mandatory or universal mental health screening funded.

Dockx

Governmental Affairs

CCHR International

Reprinted from NewsMax.com

Doctors Group Opposes Mandatory Mental Health Tests for Kids

Dave Eberhart, NewsMax.com

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004

Under new law being considered, the federal government would require that every

child in America undergo psychological screening and receive recommended

treatment, including drug therapies.

Next week the Senate re-convenes to consider an omnibus appropriations bill that

includes funding for grants to implement mandatory universal mental health

screening for almost 60 million children, pregnant women, and adults through

schools and pre-schools.

But officials of the respected Association of American Physicians & Surgeons

(AAPS) decry what they see as " a dangerous scheme that will heap even more

coercive pressure on parents to medicate children with potentially dangerous

side effects. "

One of the most " dangerous side effects " from anti-depressants commonly

prescribed to children is suicide, regarding which AAPS added, " Further, even

the government's own task force has concluded that mental health screening does

little to prevent suicide. "

The bill would fund initiatives of the " New Freedom Commission on Mental

Health, " including a program designed to subject every school age child in the

country to psychological testing and recommendations for treatment. The House

has already voted to appropriate $20 million for the plan, and the Senate will

be considering whether to bump it up to $44 million.

Last September, AAPS lifetime member Rep. Ron , M.D., R-Tex., tried to stop

the plan by offering an amendment to the Labor, HHS, and Education

Appropriations Act for FY 2005. The amendment received 95 " yes " votes, but it

failed to pass.

tells NewsMax: " At issue is the fundamental right of parents to decide what

medical treatment is appropriate for their children. The notion of federal

bureaucrats ordering potentially millions of youngsters to take psychotropic

drugs like Ritalin strikes an emotional chord with American parents, who are

sick of relinquishing more and more parental control to government.

" Once created, federal programs are nearly impossible to eliminate. Anyone who

understands bureaucracies knows they assume more and more power incrementally. A

few scattered state programs over time will be replaced by a federal program

implemented in a few select cities. Once the limited federal program is

accepted, it will be expanded nationwide. Once in place throughout the country,

the screening program will become mandatory.

" Soviet communists attempted to paint all opposition to the state as mental

illness. It now seems our own federal government wants to create a therapeutic

nanny state, beginning with schoolchildren. It's not hard to imagine a time 20

or 30 years from now when government psychiatrists stigmatize children whose

religious, social, or political values do not comport with those of the

politically correct, secular state.

" American parents must do everything they can to remain responsible for their

children's well-being. If we allow government to become intimately involved with

our children's minds and bodies, we will have lost the final vestiges of

parental authority. Strong families are the last line of defense against an

overreaching bureaucratic state. "

" Congressman and several of his colleagues will never give up, " adds an

AAPS spokesperson. " He and his colleagues have drafted a letter to Chairman

Ralph Regula, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human

Services, Education Appropriations, asking for his help. "

The letter states in part:

" We respectfully request that the following language be included in the final

committee report on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2005, or any report accompanying an omnibus

bill containing the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

appropriations for fiscal year 2005:

'None of the funds made available for State incentive grants for transformation

should be used for any programs of mandatory or universal mental-health

screening that performs mental-health screening on anyone under 18 years of age

without the express, written permission of the parents or legal guardians of

each individual involved.' "

By way of background: in April 2002, President W. Bush created the New

Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Its objective was to enhance mental health

services to those in need.

Among other things, the commission concluded that there is a need to search for

mental disorders - especially in children - and the best way to do this was with

mandatory mental health screening for everyone, starting with preschoolers.

According to the Commission's 2003 report: " Quality screening and early

intervention should occur in readily accessible, low-stigma settings, such as

primary health care facilities and schools. "

The report goes on to say: " ...the extent, severity, and far-reaching

consequences make it imperative that our Nation adopt a comprehensive, systemic

approach to improving the mental health status of children. "

However, critics of the plan suggest that the random testing of millions of

people makes little sense to anyone but the drug companies that will stand to

profit from the potential customers.

The New Freedom Commission's proposed treatment programs are based on the Texas

Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP). TMAP, which was first used in Texas in 1996

and has since expanded to other states, is a set of very specific medication

recommendations - most of them new, expensive, psychotropic drugs.

Despite the criticisms, the White House has remained solid behind the testing

initiative, noting that the commission found that schools are in a " key

position " to influence the phenomena of young children being " expelled from

preschools and childcare facilities for severely disruptive behaviors and

emotional disorders. "

But detractors are just as adamant that " problem " children in schools are

readily identifiable, making the universal testing an unnecessary tool that does

nothing but infringe on a parent's right to make decisions regarding their

child's welfare.