Click here for more information and contact. DC We are gravely concerned about the results of a study released today by the Public Citizen s Health Research Group documenting that newer medications used to treat severe mental illnesses cost twice as much in the United States than in European countries. During the past decade, thousands of American families affected by severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder, have watched hopefully as a new generation of more effective treatments has become available. However, hopes and dreams are dashed when consumers and families learn of a promising new drug only to find out that the medication is not covered by their health insurance company and that they cannot afford to purchase the medication themselves. A shocking 85 to 90 percent of individuals with severe mental illnesses are unemployed.
Poverty is one of the more unfortunate, yet silent, symptoms of mental illness.
As a nation, we cannot afford to neglect this vulnerable population that stands to recapture the promise of full, productive lives if given access to medications that science has proven to work. NAMI also strongly opposes measures that are intended to limit, or actually do limit, the availability and right of individuals with brain disorders to receive treatment with new generation medications such as atypical antipsychotics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These treatments are being singled out by NAMI because of ongoing efforts by various individuals and organizations to limit availability by making the treatments exorbitantly expensive. The NAMI E-News is an electronic newsletter delivering the latest in federal action alerts, legislative and policy updates, and NAMI press releases. Provided free of charge as a public service, the NAMI E-News is read by more than 15,000 NAMI members, policymakers, federal and state legislators, media, providers, health care policy experts, and others interested in improving the lives of individuals with severe mental illnesses and their families.