Iowa senator's letter to Oregon hits hot issue: rate psychiatrists prescribe drugs to children

Published: Friday, March 02, 2012, 3:39 PM     Updated: Saturday, March 03, 2012, 7:16 AM
By Nick Budnick, The Oregonian

Psychiatrist Curt Sturos tends to troubled kids in southern Oregon and considers himself part of a growing awareness that mental health drugs may be overused.

So it was a surprise to find himself exhibit A in a recent letter from a powerful U.S. senator demanding to know what Oregon is doing to crack down on doctors who over-prescribe.

State Medicaid records show Sturos authorized more of the mental health drug Abilify for the last three years than any other Oregon doctor. A letter to the Oregon Health Authority from Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, who wants to curb Medicaid spending nationwide, called the rate "shocking.  FULL STORY