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A new study reported in the New York Times states that children receiving Medicaid are four times as likely to receive antipsychotic drugs as those from families with regular health insurance. This news has many people in the field of mental health wondering if these children are receiving the best care possible. The study was led by a team from Rutgers and Columbia and is scheduled to be published this year, but the news of it has already caused a stir.
Overmedicating
Many see these results as evidence that the system for treating poor youth suffering from mental illness or other disorders is failing. While middle or upper class children may receive family counseling and psychotherapy for their mental illness, those from poor families are just prescribed meds on the first visit and then sent on their way. Some doctors admit that it is easier to prescribe medications. Oftentimes, these kids are getting the prescriptions from their regular pediatrician that isn’t specialized in treating mental illness, because the wait is so long to see a psychiatrist. Many of these parents whose children are on Medicaid may not be willing or able to take their child to therapy sessions or work with them at home, which is another factor that may deter physicians from trying alternate approaches.
Poverty and Mental Illness
Some people argue that the number of children that have some form or mental illness from poor families is double that of children from middle class families. There are many reasons why kids from poor households may suffer a higher rate of mental illness. The stress of poverty, poorer schools, poorer preventative health care, single parents, and parents that are mentally ill themselves are all factors that many children on Medicaid face.
Still, this does not explain why this study shows that four times as many poor children are receiving the medications. The study also shows that children on Medicaid are in general not receiving much treatment for mental disorders other than the prescriptions. Therapy and counseling are also necessary, even with medications. And many of these Medicaid children are being put on antipsychotic medications for things like ADHD or persistent defiance disorder, things that are less serious and actually not proven to be managed by these kinds of drugs. And these medications sometimes come with a price. Side effects from taking these drugs include drastic weight gain and metabolic changes, things that will affect these kids for life.
Children from poor families need to be evaluated and given the same level of care as any other person. With disputes over what drugs should be covered by Medicaid going on around the country, large drug companies are showing they will do all they can to continue to get their medications out there. Doctors, however, need to make sure they always keep the best interest of the patients in mind.
Sources
When state evaluates drugs for mental health, drug makers play undisclosed role
Low Income Kids Prescribed Antipsychotic Drugs
