Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida (CCHR Florida)

CCHR Florida update on State Health Care Legislation:

Many of you have been receiving our email updates on the Federal Health Care legislation which calls for mental health screening of almost every generation in the United States. 

Two Florida Legislators have submitted a state bill to several committees in Tallahassee that would, when passed into law, permit all Florida residents the choice to their own health care payment options and plans.  Please read through the letter and information below.  The letter is from the office of Representative Plakon, one of the sponsors of this bill. (more…)

The Medicare Fraud Strike Force is a multi-agency team of federal, state and local investigators designed to combat Medicare fraud.

Strike Force teams are operating in seven cities in the United States: Miami, Los Angeles, Detroit, Houston, Brooklyn, Tampa and Baton Rouge.

The Medicare Fraud Strike Force is a multi-agency team of federal, state and local investigators designed to combat Medicare fraud.

Strike Force teams are operating in seven cities in the United States: Miami, Los Angeles, Detroit, Houston, Brooklyn, Tampa and Baton Rouge. (more…)

Miami Herald

Senator eyes Miami doctor

Sen. Charles Grassley pointed to a Miami doctor in an attempt to show that the government needs to do something about over-utilization of healthcare.

By John Dorschner

Senator Grassley

 A Miami psychiatrist who writes prescriptions for Medicaid patients at a rate of 150 a day, seven days a week, has been targeted by a U.S. senator as an example of why the federal government should do more to investigate over-utilization of healthcare.

The biting letter, from Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to federal Medicaid officials comes at a time when authorities are looking for ways to reduce what experts believe is massive overspending in areas like Miami, where healthcare costs can be more than twice the national average, as healthcare reform advocates look for ways to find the money to spread coverage to the uninsured. (more…)

From the Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida

To all of you who helped support CCHR Florida’s activities this past year. 

Thank you for forwarding our emails, posts and videos.

Thank you for contacting your legislators in support of more humane legislation regarding mental health issues.  (more…)

Email us at Info@cchrflorida.org

and find out what you can do to help!

Sign the petition to stop psychiatric harm and abuse of children: www.cchrflorida.org/pledge

CCHR Florida Update on the Health Care Bill

According to a New York Times article, dated 11 Dec. 2009, “New federally financed drug research reveals a stark disparity: children covered by Medicaid are given powerful antipsychotic medicines at a rate four times higher than children whose parents have private insurance.”

“In any case, as Congress works on health care legislation that could expand the nation’s Medicaid rolls by 15 million people – a 43 percent increase – the scope of the antipsychotics problem, and the expense, could grow in coming years.” (more…)

CCHR Florida’s Success -

a successful Psychiatric Living Will Signing Event held on Decemberr 5, 2009 in Clearwater, Florida

Kudos to Michael Graves and Robert Nahas

Beautiful music  

Michael Graves and Robert Nahas

Senator Grassley has asked TeenScreen and 32 other groups for information about the financial backing they get pharmaceutical companies. 

http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=179090IowaPolitics.com

Grassley works for disclosure of drug company payments to medical groups

December 8, 2009

WASHINGTON — Senator Grassley has asked 33 medical groups for information about the financial backing they get from the pharmaceutical, medical device and insurance industries.

“These organizations have a lot of influence over public policy, and people rely on their leadership. There’s a strong case for disclosure and the accountability that results,” Grassley said.

Grassley said his inquiry follows a review of industry support for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, where he questioned the organization’s national office and state chapters. The Alliance subsequently adopted a new policy of publicly releasing industry support over $5,000. “It’d be good for the system if other organizations would follow NAMI’s lead in this area,” Grassley said. (more…)