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
poster:akc
thread:15816
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20011216/msgs/15816.html