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Psychologists relate the pain of 'so many Timothys' NYSUT lobby day focuses on the need for mental health coverage 
June 2, 2004 From left: Psychologists George Bouklas, Carol Hassett, Stephanie Wacholder and Eric Redlener meet with Assemblyman Pete Grannis on May 11 lobby day. Psychologist Christine Allen of Syracuse had a new patient who came in distraught because he had struck his fiancee; he himself had been hit repeatedly as a child and wanted help to make sure he did not follow the same path as an abuser. His insurance said he could have 25 visits throughout his entire lifetime, according to Allen. "It's like putting a Band-Aid on it; of course they won't get better," she said during the New York State Psychological Association lobby day at the Capitol, sponsored by its state affiliate, New York State United Teachers. "I am very much in support of Timothy's Law and the comprehensive approach." The proposed "Timothy's Law" seeking parity in insurance coverage for mental illness is named after Timothy O'Clair, a Schenectady boy who committed suicide just before his 13th birthday. His family had struggled for years to get him mental health treatment, but coverage was eventually blocked by their health insurance company. The family was forced to place him in foster care so he could become eligible for Medicaid. The majority of private health insurance plans in New York require higher co-payments, higher deductibles, fewer outpatient visits and few days in the hospital for treatment of mental illness and substance abuse, psychologists say. "There are so many Timothys out there," said psychologist Anna Remen of State University of New York's Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. A member of United University Professions, Remen pleaded her case to legislators with the story of a young woman making progress in her third month of mental health treatment for sexual abuse. The treatment was keeping her out of the hospital, but the insurance company abruptly halted payment, saying she had reached maximum visits. The family has recently been advised, as Timothy's family was, to disown the young woman so she can get on Medicaid. That would require her to move to a homeless shelter, Remen said, noting the girl is again desperate and suicidal. NYSUT and NYSPA support Timothy's Law to create mental health parity in the state. "The historical view is that people look down on mental illness," said psychologist Paul Moglia of Yonkers. "They think it's a question of willpower." Assembly co-sponsor Alexander "Pete" Grannis, D-Manhattan, said the mental health parity legislation has been languishing for more than a decade. In March, the Assembly passed Timothy's Law, sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, 131 to 10. He encouraged the psychologists to meet with as many senators as possible. "They need to hear about the impact of these cuts on humans," he said, adding: "We generally don't hear about these issues from the patients." On the day the psychologists met with Grannis and other legislators, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Rensselaer, and Sen. Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton, held a news conference announcing a proposed mental health parity bill. Alan Lubin, executive vice president of NYSUT, called the proposal a significant step forward. He encouraged both houses to work together for a law that "truly helps people suffering from mental illness." The proposed Senate bill would exempt smaller businesses. "Excluding employers by size is a huge mistake," Grannis said. Proposed Medicaid cuts The state projects that elimination of psychological services from Medicaid would save $1.1 million - but without those services, more patients would require expensive in-patient treatment in hospitals and mental health facilities, according to Sharon Brennan, president of the Psychological Association. David Stang, a psychologist with Central New York Psychiatric Center, said proposed Medicaid cuts would hinder services to the elderly, particularly in nursing homes. "Many elderly patients are depressed. Psychologists play a very essential role on treatment teams, and help staff," he said. Psychologist Michael Schwalberg of Kingston, meeting with Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Schenectady, said the Medicaid cuts would eliminate specialized services, such as treating anxiety disorders with specific techniques, that can free people to return to work. "Why can't someone who is housebound not have parity with a person who has a heart problem?" he asked. "There's an artificial dichotomy between physical and mental illnesses," said psychologist and UUP member Tammy Bartoszek of SUNY Upstate Medical Center. "We work hard to manage behaviors to get a person to adjust and be able to live in the community, as opposed to the more expensive residential option." - Liza Frenette |
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