Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Senators sharpen budget ax in Missouri for many deep cuts
Kansas City Star atory - "As the prospects for new sources of money grew dimmer Tuesday, Senate budget-writers began focusing on an increasingly grim solution to Missouri's financial troubles. ... In all, the spending cuts would total $589.5 million. They would cut off more than 150,000 Missouri residents from social services and mental health programs."  
  

Drug exemptions pass Senate subcommittee (South Carolina)
Story in The State - "A bill that would allow Medicaid recipients with certain types of mental illnesses unrestricted access to the drugs they need passed the Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee Tuesday. People with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression will not have to get prior approval to receive medications that aren't on the state's preferred drug list, which is expected to get federal approval this summer."  
  

Drug-access restrictions contested (Oregon)
Story in the Statesman Journal - "Two key senators have joined a coalition of mental health advocates to oppose additional state restrictions on poor patients obtaining medications. Rather than saving money for the state, they argue, the restrictions might end up costing more — and costing patients their liberties or their lives."