Foster Kids on Psychotropic Drugs

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 26^th, 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.