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Mental
Health Benefits Project
The
costs and benefits of parity
News
How
to help
Useful
links
The
Timothy's Law Campaign
TLC flyer
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Exerpts
from Timothy's Law Campaign flyer
complete flyer in pdf. format
(Click
here to download a free Adobe Reader)
Current
health insurance practices are discriminatory and dangerous
Mental illnesses and chemical dependency are serious illnesses
that respond well to treatment. Children and adults with
bipolar disorder, eating disorders, depression or substance
abuse disorders can be at great risk of permanent health
damage or death, without access to treatment.
Most health insurance policies in New York provide only
30 hospital days or 20 doctor visits a year for mental health
treatment and require high deductible and co-payments. Individuals
with diabetes, asthma or heart disorders aren’t limited
to 30 hospital days or 20 doctor visits a year.
Insurance parity keeps families together
Without timely access to necessary treatment, families are
often left with the cruel choice of depleting their financial
resources and accessing only the sporadic treatment that
they can afford; or relinquishing custody of their child
to the state in order to access publicly funded services.
Parents with restricted benefits risk decompensation, the
loss of their jobs and hospitalization, putting tremendous
financial and emotional stress on their family.
Insurance parity is cost effective
A recent actuarial study estimates that passage of Timothy’s
Law will increase employer premiums by $1.26, per employee,
per month. The 35 states that passed parity legislation
have experienced minimal or nonexistent premium increases.
Black and Decker, Federal Express, IBM and other corporations
have implemented parity voluntarily resulting in increased
productivity and a reduction in overall health costs.
New Yorkers want insurance equality
In a recent Zogby poll, 81% of New Yorkers said they were
willing to pay $1.26 more per month for full insurance coverage
for mental and chemical dependency health care needs.
For
more information visit the Timothy's
Law Campaign website.
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