Posted by Noa on January 8, 2000, at 0:41:35
In reply to Somewhat OT: Candidate Healthcare Proposals +HMOs, posted by Abby on January 7, 2000, at 23:21:20
I was a member of HCHP back then. It was good care under one roof, but with limitations. Not much choice, and minimal mental health benefits. When I was hospitalized, it was at a hospital with a poor reputation. To its credit, tho, HCHP sent a psychiatric nurse to see me, and the other HCHP patients, at the hospital, to supplement the care, and plan for what happens after discharge. But my therapy was private, paid for entirely out of my pocket, at a reduced rate, thanks to my therapist (I was rather financially challenged then).
Incidentally, back then, there existed an excellent community mental health program in Massachusetts. That is how I found my therapist. I lived around the corner from the town's CMH Center. I saw my therapist there for a couple of years, until he left and went into private practice. When I started, my fee for each session was $3. It rose with my income, and was about $20 by the time my therapist left. I continued to work with him, and charged me only about $25 initially. This, of course went up over the years, but very reasonably, and in conjunction with increases in my means. My point is, tho, that Community Mental Health was great, and it is sad to see it erode away. In some communities, there still is service, but usually only for the neediest, and usually there is a long waiting list. BTW, Community Mental Health was Rosalyn Carter's baby.
poster:Noa
thread:18345
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000101/msgs/18354.html