I need to vent about something

I live in Iowa and here's how it now works at our local mental health center. The pdoc is only there on Wednesdays. The new rule is that people on Medicare can only see a therapist when the pdoc is physically in the building! I'm not sure if this is state legislation or what but, I can't get in to see the pdoc until the end of Sept. and you're not allowed to see a therapist until AFTER you've seen the pdoc.

So, all the people on Medicare that need mental health services can only be seen ONE DAY A WEEK! How many people desperately need help right away and are put on waiting lists for months?!?!?!?

This is insane! I'm sure it comes from the fucks in the WH. More important things to do, you know. I did have one of the people there tell me they are trying to get the legislation changed. Something about them trying to get their own provider numbers or something.

Luckily, I'm not suicidal or anything but, I sure have alot of things I need to talk to someone about SOON. But, I keep thinking about all the people that probably just give up because it's so damn hard to see anyone.

I am just sick to death about what is happening in this country. It's not even OUR country anymore. And it just keeps getting worse.

Thanks for listening!

what law? make sure it says what they think it says.
maybe these guys can help-http://www.namiiowa.com/index.htm

really sounds a little bs-y to me.

want to get the number for that office and see if you have any other options. It sounds like bs to me, too, but so do many things about our so called "system".

We know that social services was about the first thing cut when asswipe took office. It's been steadily whittled away at ever since. We have a visiting nurse come by once a week for my husband and she said I wouldn't believe all the BS they have to go through now. She said it seems like the real purpose of their work isn't even the patients anymore. And I agree.

I did get a call this morning because the pdoc had a cancellation this Wed. So at least I don't have to wait til the end of Sept. anymore.

I will check out the links posted to make sure this is all correct, though.

Thanks so much for replying! :)

al gore '08. a little hope might help.

It's a new Medicare rule. From what he said, it's so that they don't pay for someone to see a therapist unless a pdoc deems it necessary. So, the bottom line is $$$, of course. I don't know what the criteria is for someone to need a therapist (obviously, I passed!). I just hope the people that need help can get it.

Kinda funny how I never gave this stuff a second thought until it affected me. Now I think a lot about the people that really need help and can't get it. I guess it's the "been there" thing.

Peace

For years when I couldn't afford it, I went to see psyc medical students in their last years of school. It's normally cheaper, and in the hospital I went to, there were plenty of them to go around. They also accepted Medicare, and if you were poor you could even get it for free. I think to graduate as a psyc, you have to do a year of counseling under the supervision of a teacher. Maybe you can look into that?

I am able to see the pdoc & therapist at the clinic I went to today. Everything is ok with that. They really are a great bunch of people there.

I'm just having a bit of a problem with how difficult it is getting for people who need mental health care. Thanks to this insane administration's budget cuts.