Psychiatrists accused of drugging kids to game Medicaid

A mental health advocacy group has sued several child psychiatrists, health service agencies, pharmacies and Alaska state officials, claiming that the doctors were permitted to prescribe unnecessary medication to children as part of an elaborate Medicaid fraud scheme, according to a newly unsealed federal lawsuit.

The Law Project for Psychiatric Rights claims the doctors used "deliberate ignorance" and "reckless disregard" for health by basing prescription decisions on "drug company marketing" instead of their own medical opinions. 

"The uncritical acceptance of pharmaceutical company hype represents a massive betrayal of trust by the psychiatrists prescribing these drugs to children and youth," said Jim Gottstein, the Anchorage-based attorney representing the PsychRights. 

But Dr. Ronald Martino, one of the defendants, said the lawsuit "reflects an extreme and distorted view of the world."

"It's 50 years behind the times when they try to paint psychiatry as a specialty that is coercive in some way or using dangerous medications irresponsibly," he told the Anchorage Daily News.

Gottstein, though, called the case "open and shut." 

"It is Medicaid fraud to cause or submit prescriptions to Medicaid for reimbursement if they are not for a medically accepted indication," Gottstein said. "End of story." 

For every false prescription written, the suit is asking for a minimum fine of $5,500 to be imposed.

For more on this lawsuit:
- read this Anchorage Daily News article
- check out this press release
- here's the actual complaint

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