Governor Schwarzenegger has vetoed SB 303, a proposed law that would require doctors to inform residents about the dangers of psychotropic medications, and require nursing homes residents to give consent before such drugs can be given.
According to the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), the use of psychoactive drugs has become an epidemic in California. According to one study, nearly 60% of all California nursing home patients are administered psychoactive narcotics, a huge increase from only a decade earlier.
Governor Schwarzenegger admitted that misuse of antipsychotic drugs is a serious problem in nursing homes when he vetoed the legislation, and even cited a study that found more than half of all residents on psychoactive drugs are in violation of federal guidelines.
“It is shocking that the Governor is protecting doctors and nursing homes that are drugging tens of thousands of elders with dementia into submission,” said Patricia McGinnis, CANHR’s executive director. “Thousands of nursing home residents will continue to die from these deadly drugs.”
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Schwarzenegger Vetoes Bill to Reduce Drugging of Nursing Home Residents"
Does he get "contributions" from the nursing homes?
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who is a nurse moonlighting at nursing homes. She told me EVERY ONE in that nursing home was on an anti-depressent.
ReplyDelete60%? No --it's way more than that.
This was important legislatation and Schwarzenegger's veto sends a loud shout that the elderly don't matter in CA.
Schawarzenegger didn't protect Britney, he won't protect the eldelry. He has no idea of the value of freedom
ReplyDeleteI am very disappointed in Governor Schwarzenegger's veto in this matter. One could easily conclude from his actions that the drug companies and nursing home industry et al are heavy $$$$$$$ contributors to his re-election campaign. Shameful Governor selling out the vulnerable for a money.
ReplyDeleteBad news for the elderly in California.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia had better watch out or the state will end up with a bad reuputation for how it treats old folks-like Florida has.
Applause to CANHR for their efforts and caring for the elderly.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry Schwarzenegged vetoes the bill.
ReplyDeleteSchwarzennegger admitting the problem isn't solving it.
Very bad.
Once again, the nursing home lobby has deep pockets.
ReplyDeleteIt appears, and we don't know, but it appears the lobby has done its job again.
Psychotropic drugs are straight jackets.
ReplyDeleteThey're also an effective tool bad guardians use. Drug up the ward, then tell the ward that his/her family doesn't care, etc.
Not good, Arnold, very very disappointing.
Remember that AS also pulled the funding for the first reform bills of conservatorship in CA, which resulted from the LA Times series.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking AS just doesn't care about old folks.