Um, they didn't HAVE to prescribe Haldol simply because money was an issue. There are tons of drug coupon and assistance programs out there for the newer, more expensive drugs. I was able to get Zyprexa for $25.00/month without insurance by using these programs (it was $600+ without them, despite being generic). There are coupons for cheap Seroquel too, as it's also generic.

Also, Haldol is still considered the "gold standard" anti-psychotic by a fair number of doctors, meaning it's more effective at stopping psychosis than most of the newer drugs. The dosage has been fine-tuned a lot in recent years to lower the risk of TD too. One reason Haldol has such a bad reputation is because doctors used to prescribe it at up to 10 times what is now considered the proper dosing schedule.

Of course it sucks that finances can play a large part in treatment. This is why I support Medicaid expansions and universal healthcare coverage. It's hardly just a problem in mental healthcare, but a problem for anyone which a chronic condition where the drugs can be expensive. But many of the statements in this article are just erroneous. Haldol isn't a bad drug, and for gods' sake, if he doesn't want to take it I'll personally send him the link for $25.00 Zyprexa--something I, as a high school drop-out, am apparently more capable of finding than all those doctors and college professors put together.