Action Alert:

· Effective October 1, 2005, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services will require Prior Authorization for any Medicaid patient taking the anti-psychotic medications named Seroquel and Zyprexa.  There will be a four month transition period for persons currently on Zyprexa or Seroquel.  There will be no ‘grandfathering’ (allowing patients to continue on these medications because they have been on them in the past).  No new patients will be allowed to be started on either Seroquel or Zyprexa without Prior Authorization.   Criteria for the conditions under which patients will be authorized to take either of these medications have not been spelled out.  Prior Authorization requires that doctors spend time making a case for why a patient should be on a particular medication.

· NAMI, the Mental Health Summit, the Mental Health Association and others have consistently opposed any restriction on access to psychotropic medications that are not based on clinical judgment.  No clinical judgment supports the imposition of these restrictions. 

ACT NOW!

· Please communicate your concerns and your opposition to restricting access to medication - it is a short-sighted effort to save money.  Call:

· Barry Maram, Director, Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services     (217) 782-1200

· Jim Parker, Deputy Administrator Medical Programs, Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services.   (217) 782-1200  

· Senate President Emil Jones            (217) 782-2728

· House Speaker Michael Madigan      (217) 782-5350

· Governor Rod Blagojevich     (217) 782-6830

· AND, then call your Representative and your Senator.  Explain your concerns and ask THEM to call their respective leader, i.e. Senator Jones or Representative Madigan.

“TREATMENT WORKS”

· Effective medication and treatment enables the vast majority of persons with serious mental illnesses to recover the ability to lead productive and satisfying lives.

· Medications are the cornerstones of treatment for serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. 

· Serious mental illnesses involve changes in the chemistry of the brain and medications bring the brain chemistry back into better balance.

· For many who live with schizophrenia, newer generation medications have often made a significant difference in the level of recovery. 

· Medications are not interchangeable.

“ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL”

· Research on serious mental disorders reveals genetic variation even when symptoms are similar and the diagnosis the same. 

· These biological differences appear to be the explanation for why different individuals respond differently to medications used to treat mental illness.

· For each individual, decisions about medication must be made carefully – it must be an informed choice between the physician and patient.

· Open choice for mental health drugs is essential to achieve the best recovery possible for the ill person.

“IF IT ISN’T BROKEN – DON’T FIX IT”

· If a medication regimen is working (keeping a person functioning in a productive and satisfying manner) the medication regimen should NOT be tampered with.

· Switching medications carries the risk of relapse.

· A change of medications for arbitrary reasons could have disastrous consequences including: ER visits, hospitalizations, and even incarceration.

“OPEN ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH DRUGS IS ESSENTIAL TO TREATING MENTAL ILLNESS” 

AND, if you, or a family member, would like to address this concern with the media, please call NAMI of Greater Chicago at (312) 563-0445.  There may be additional opportunities for your involvement!

Thank you…. Let them hear from us today!