Vote Mental Health – Mental Health Insurance
“Our child will be 18 next month. What do we do for insurance?”
Not an uncommon question at the family support group meetings. Parents are worried that their child will lose medical insurance, and they will have no way to pay for the medications and treatment needed.
On the other hand, parents whose children are under 18, and fully insured with employer medical insurance, are limited to the number of doctor visit and therapy sessions for the diagnosed mental illness.
The Mental Health Parity Act was tacked onto the “Bailout” legislation. This is a good first step. While it removes some of the limits imposed, it still leaves wide gap in coverage for mental illness.
Another sad fact is in many states, the most accessible mental health care is part of the Medicaid system. Because of rules imposed by many states, those who have private health insurance cannot access these services.
The small community I live in has one mental health clinic. It is a contractor with the county department of mental health. As such, they are prevented from taking private insurance clients. Thus, a person diagnosed with a mental illness who has private insurance must seek treatment in a neighboring city – a 50-mile drive one-way.
What can you do?
1. Read the presidential candidates statements about health care for mental health. Remember, they lead their party. Obama McCain
2. Learn the party positions. These are the positions for all the candidates. Democrat Platform Republican Platform
3. Write to all candidates and express the concerns. Many people with mental illness are too sick to speak for themselves.
4. Help someone get to the polls to vote. Stop by and pick up someone who doesn’t have transportation and take them with you when you go vote.
5. Vote.
6. Pray for this election.
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