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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by akc on December 20, 2001, at 8:31:04
Well, as I actually expected (I'm becoming very pessimistic about some things in my life), the parity legislation died in committee yesterday -- voting along party lines, 10 Rep versus 7 Dems, the legislation was shot down in the House committee, even though approximately half of the House had already signed on in support of the legislation -- unfortunately, those supporting the legislation did not include republican leadership. The former parity legislation, the 1996 Mental Health Parity Act, will be extended for 1 year (a weak, and misued law, in my opinion). So here is hoping that a new parity law will make it out of the Senate, again, and this time through the House. It will take some serious advocacy on the part of the public -- polls show most Americans support such legislation. On my soap box -- why did this legislation die, then? Because the insurance industry and corporate America said no -- they said we cannot afford it. Even though in individual states that have passed such legislation, there has been no significant increase in cost! Anyway, this will allow us who still have some insurance coverage for our mental health benefits to fight for what few pennies they dole out -- and keep many uncovered at all. Something is not right about this picture. And trust me -- the insurance industry has figured out that it doesn't have to cover mental health unless it is forced to -- and won't out of the goodness of its heart. Corporate America isn't pushing for this, because it believes that it will cost more -- the insurance industry says it will, so it must be true. So someone, and the only entity I see left is the government, has to come in and force a change. I know some think the government should not do much -- but to me, this is one area ripe for government interference. Then again, I don't think the health insurance industry should be for-profit at all -- it seems a funny place to be making money. And trust me - I'm a lawyer -- a capitalistic pig, through and through.
Off my soap box. But still upset.
akc
Posted by JohnDoenut on December 20, 2001, at 15:03:40
In reply to Parity, posted by akc on December 20, 2001, at 8:31:04
I dont understand what the parity legislation is or what this whole thing is about anyway. Can you explain in more detail?!
thanks.
Posted by susan C on December 20, 2001, at 21:42:23
In reply to Parity, posted by akc on December 20, 2001, at 8:31:04
Darn darn and double darn akc. Maybe if we send an avalance of letters to the INSURANCE companies...hmmmm hmmm. I will write again to my representatives and senators, maybe to my insurance companies too...hummm hummmm...
And John, further back akc has some great posts on this whole business.
mouse with stamps
Posted by Noa on December 21, 2001, at 6:31:02
In reply to Re: Parity, posted by susan C on December 20, 2001, at 21:42:23
That is rotten.
At this point, though, I think the State level is where people can be most effective.
Also, one of the problems with federal parity legislation is that in states where parity "floors" are decent, the federal parity "floor" would come in *lower* and undermine what is offered in the state.
ALso, people should know about the practice of not advertising existing parity laws in states that have them. I don't know how they get away with this, but in states with parity laws, insurance companies and consumers go on operating as if there *aren't* the parity laws. Nobody lets the consumer know, the insurance pays at the mental health coverage rates and the consumer just assumes that is the law. Call your state insurance commissioner to find out. If there is parity, ask them for a letter to that effect, and then submit it to your insurance company with your own letter to request that they pay at the same rates they pay for other health care. Or ask the commissioner's office if they take reports of companies not complying with the law.
Posted by Noa on December 21, 2001, at 6:34:16
In reply to Re: Parity, posted by JohnDoenut on December 20, 2001, at 15:03:40
I am not familiar with the details of the federal parity bills that were proposed, but parity is essentially the idea that mental health care be covered at the same levels and rates as other health care, and have the same coverage caps. So, for example, if your insurance covers doctor's visits at 80%, they should do the same for psychiatric visits.
This is the end of the thread.
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