Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 Source: Beckley Register-Herald (WV) Copyright: 2002 The Register-Herald Contact: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd86 Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1441 Author: Bev Davis W VA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION WANTS MENTAL PARITY LEGISLATION People with mental illness and substance abuse disorders deserve insurance coverage equal to patients with other types of illness and disease, the West Virginia State Medical Association asserts in its legislative position agenda. West Virginia is one of eight states not providing equal coverage, and WVSMA lobbyists will push for mental health parity during this legislative session, WVSMA president Ahmed Faheem of Beckley said. "As a psychiatrist, I see on a daily basis the inequities we have in providing insurance for people with mental illness and substance abuse disorders. West Virginia needs to make some changes, and hopefully, we will see those happen this year," Faheem said. Beckley psychiatrist Dr. M.K. Hasan said the lack of insurance coverage causes many people to forego treatment. "Right now, people with many types of mental illness cannot get the same kind of coverage, and they have to pay far more for the medications they need," Hasan said. "Some people just can't afford it, so they don't get the help they need." Dr. Dan Cowell, chairman of the psychiatry department at Marshall University, said West Virginia has no mental health parity, and lobbyists want to see the state move in the direction of 32 others that have added limited or full parity as a state mandate. "For too long, we have deemed those who suffer from mental illness and substance abuse disorders unworthy of fair health insurance coverage. Comprehensive parity legislation ends this discrimination by ensuring that mental health and substance abuse disorders receive the same insurance coverage as physical illnesses do," Cowell said. Some of the disorders excluded from coverage affect many children and teens, the doctors say. "Young people with eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, multiple personality disorders, post-traumatic stress syndrome are excluded. Children with serious mental and emotional disorders are excluded. These disorders can be just as debilitating as severe mental illnesses," Cowell said. According to a 1993 report compiled by the National Advisory Mental Health Council, the estimated national cost of providing mental health coverage equal to physical health coverage amounts to $6.5 billion. Equal coverage, or parity, would save $2.2 billion, the study said. Proponents of parity say the move would decrease employee absenteeism, lower drug-related crime rates and improve scholastic performance. Opponents say providing insurance coverage will raise insurance premium costs to a level too high for the average citizen to pay and can indirectly support substance abuse. "A number of studies have shown that rates rise only between 1 to 4 percent," Faheem said. "Thirty-two other states have passed some form of mental health parity legislation, and those states have found it to be a good move. Untreated mental health and substance abuse disorders have a huge impact on the economy. These other states have found, that in the long run, they save money by providing parity." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth