Federal Agency Cuts Off Funding for Suicide Hotline

News:

Public health advocates are desperately trying to raise funds to save 1-800-SUICIDE, the nation’s best-known suicide hotline, scheduled to be shut down at midnight tonight. The federal agency that funds the hotline says it decided to cut off its support; spokespeople for the hotline say that any government replacement can’t—or won’t—guarantee callers’ confidentiality, and that the government has owed them $266,00 for more than 2 years. Once the hotline goes dark, federal health officials hope to direct callers to their own replacement line, which will give them access to callers’ phone data. More information can be found at www.save1800suicide.org.

More slimy politics by Bushco.

A quick google search turned up this link:
http://www.save1800suicide.org/history/
It turns out that the federal funds for this service were brought about through the efforts of the late MN Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone. The fund shutoff is pure power politics at it's worst. What do you want to bet that those running the new federal program are well connected republicans?

"Welcome to the corporate socialist state. Please leave your personal liberty and prosperity at the door with the friendly guard in the Halliburton uniform."

By CarfenderAugust 11, 2006 - 4:14pm