Why should we have another Picnic for Parity in New York City when Timothy’s Law was passed?
On December 22, 2006, Governor Pataki signed Timothy’s Law, a bill which requires that private companies pay for mental healthcare as much as they do for physical illness.
After over a decade of lobbying and grassroots efforts by the Timothy’s Law Campaign and many mental health advocacy organizations statewide, including the National Picnic for Parity, Inc. and the tireless efforts of the family of Timothy ’O Claire, a young boy who completed suicide before his twelfth birthday.
The Law recognizes that mental health is as important as physical health. If you have diabetes or a heart condition you can get whatever medication and appointments you need; this is not the case when it comes to mental illness.
Timothy’s Law will help end discrimination against mentally ill patients with private insurance policies, but it does not help the uninsured patient or those on Medicare like myself.
After a long search, I finally found an excellent psychiatrist, but I have to pay a 50% co-pay. If I was going to my internist I would have a 20% co-pay. I was already seeing a psychologist who was accepting my coverage. He was indeed a very special person, but because of this I could not see a psychiatrist at most hospitals or mental health facilities; you have to see both doctors at the same facility. Because of the cost, I have to limit my visits.
Also, it covers biologically-based mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but not illnesses related to substance-abuse. Indeed, this is a shortcoming in the law because many people with mental illnesses also have substance abuse problems.
Today, about forty states, including New York, have parity laws. On the federal level, the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 is moving forward and will be coming to a full Senate vote. Just like Timothy’s Law, it is not a perfect bill. However, we have to start with something. If we can change the law then we can start changing people’s attitudes toward mental illness, a biologically-based disorder of the brain.
I urge you to contact your senators and urge them to support the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007.