Archive for December, 2009

CCHR Florida: Call to Action on State Health Care – Citizens’ rights

Monday, 12 December 2009

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…)


Medicare Fraud Strike Force

Monday, 12 December 2009

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.

 

FBI

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…)


Two More Days To Christmas

Wednesday, 12 December 2009

Safe Approach Flyer


Feds investigating high prescribing Florida doctors – Senator calls for a nationwide investigation

Friday, 12 December 2009
US Senator Charles Grassley

US Senator Charles Grassley

 

Associated Press

 

Feds investigating high prescribing Fla. docs

By KELLI KENNEDY
Associated Press Writer

 

MIAMI (AP) — The federal government has stopped reimbursing a Miami doctor who wrote nearly 97,000 prescriptions for mental health drugs to Medicaid patients over 18 months, in a case that prompted a key Senator to call for a nationwide investigation. 

 

U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa said Dr. Fernando Mendez Villamil wrote an average of 153 prescriptions a day for 18 months ending in March 2009. That’s nearly twice the number of the second highest prescriber in Florida, who wrote a little more than 53,000 prescriptions, according to a list compiled by state officials. (more…)


Senator Grassley Eyes Miami Psychiatrist

Thursday, 12 December 2009

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

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…)


A Holiday Message for You – In appreciation for all your help

Thursday, 12 December 2009

HappyHolidays

 

 

 

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…)


Stop psychiatric harm and abuse of children!

Tuesday, 12 December 2009

Need Your HelpEmail 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


Update on the Health Care Reform Bill: more calls and faxes are needed

Monday, 12 December 2009

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 Success – Kudos to Michael Graves and Robert Nahas

Thursday, 12 December 2009

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

Michael Graves and Robert Nahas


U.S. Senator asks Teenscreen about financing from Big Pharma

Wednesday, 12 December 2009

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…)