House Bill 915
Texas House Bill 915 introduced by state representative Louis
Kolkhorst has been approved through legislation. The Bill is set for final
approval by the Senate on Friday April 26th, 2013. If approved the
Bill would require that prior to a foster child being put on psychotropic
medications, the guardian of the child must receive written or verbal
information from a medical provider on the child’s health situation.
The state system currently
in place is set up by placing all foster
children in a single Medicaid managed care organization under STAR Heath, which
has a “health passport” system to track the children’s medical histories. Guardians
for all foster children receiving any medical treatment should be looking at
ways to address the underlying distress causing possible behavioral problems ,other than looking for a
short term fix through prescription drugs. Although guardians are already
required to consent to the prescription of psychotropic medications, the
legislation would define what that consent actually means. Advocates on the new
bill are intent to see that the legislation follow through on making sure that
guardians are educated on the child’s treatment plan and would hold the
guardians, medical providers and judicial courts more responsible for
monitoring the child’s overall well-being.
The possible benefits and
potential negative effects and outcomes of psychotropic medications used to
treat the condition would be addressed to the guardian as well as other
alternatives to help aid the child. Included in HB915 is a condition requiring
a report on medical visits every 90 days to keep an eye on the effects of the
medications on the child. This will set up a course of action to educate
children 16 and older whom have received consent from a court on allowing their
own medical care.
The overmedication of foster
children with psychotropic drugs has been a hot issue in the state. For example,
one foster child described in a report about being prescribed 11
medications in one month, including two antidepressants and two stimulants to
treat ADHD at a cost of $1,088 to the state’s Medicaid program. (released 2004
by Carole Keeton called the "Forgotten Children.") There is much
needed action to inform the older children on the details of psychotropic drugs
as well as on their treatment plans. In result of poor informed children, many foster children are resentful of the medication
and stop taking it when they age out of the system and are more highly likely
to develop withdrawal symptoms resulting in the use of illegal drugs.
On a side note when HB 915
was in committee, some medical professionals expressed concern that the
legislation would create an administrative burden on the already limited
network of mental health providers. Kolkhorst, the main author of the bill informed
the committee she will work with medical groups to improve the bill and address
such concerns. As a believer in the cause, the dedication to the bill from Kolkhorst
shows the willingness she is giving to
bring this bill a positive outcome. I agree with the bill and feel that even
with not only foster kids, any youth under 18 should be fully educated on what
they are going to be taking and are diagnosed with. The parents , doctors and the school should be educated and informed on
the specifics child's medical history to prevent any miss use, and risk of a
child being over medicated. I hope to see more action being taken in this
matter and encourage the lawmakers and care takers of the children to see the importance of this bill .The positive
impact of House Bill 915 could bring aid and a voice to those who need help the most.
Just one child being helped would be the
start on the road to success.
