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Carolyn Beauchamp, Executive Director of
MHANJ, Testifies on Mental Health Parity
Good morning Chairperson Weinberg and
members of the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee. I am
Carolyn Beauchamp, Executive Director of the Mental Health
Association in New Jersey and part of the Mental Health Parity
Coalition. Thank you for hearing my comments today in support of A-
2487, a bill which would expand insurance coverage for all medically
necessary behavioral health conditions, covering them on a par with
physical health.
In 1999 the first step was taken to
end discrimination regarding health insurance practices as they
related to mental health. Unfortunately, at that time, the Parity
Law that was passed did not require the inclusion of
non-biologically based illnesses such as post-traumatic stress
disorder, eating disorders and substance abuse. It did cover
biologically based mental illnesses with a listing of specific
diagnoses. Most children were not covered because they are not
typically diagnosed with severe (biological) conditions at such
early ages.
The lack of full parity has led to
the following situations:
- Many children and adults who have
suffered from posttraumatic stress disorders as a result of 9/11
have gone untreated or under-treated.
- People with anxiety disorders are
going untreated or under-treated.
- People with co-occurring disorders
(mental illness and substance abuse) receive fragmented and
ineffectual care.
- Doctors give more serious
diagnoses to children and adults in an effort to have them covered
by a biologically based diagnosis so they can receive treatment.
- People do not access mental health
treatment because they are confused about what it is, what is
covered, and are too ashamed to ask.
The Mental Health Association in New
Jersey believes that the passage of this bill will lead to improved
access and quality of behavioral health services for citizens who
have private insurance coverage. Following the events of September
11, it is clear that mental health treatment is an integral part of
coping with disaster. We need to establish policy through this bill
that acknowledges and provides for that reality. People need to be
able to rely on the structure of our society to protect them when
tragedies happen. Building equality into the insurance system helps
create the structure and support the policy that our society
recognizes the need to help people heal emotionally as well as
physically.
When more people receive treatment
through their private insurance, fewer become so ill that they end
up in emergency rooms. The expansion of benefits will help end
discriminatory practices in the provision of behavioral health
benefits and reduce stigma associated with mental illness and
substance abuse. In addition, when citizens with mental illness get
treatment, they experience a decrease in symptoms, are better able
to function in jobs, relationships, families and to fulfill normal
life responsibilities. For these reasons we urge you to pass A-2487.
Thank you.
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