Special Election? I’d Like a Receipt Please.
After working in the Mental Health Industry early in my career, I have a special fondness for other professionals who also help keep our sanity together. Now is the time to continue to find ways to support one another, both professionally and in our communities. That is why at the last LA-CAMFT board meeting I spoke with Angela Kahn, LA-CAMFT’s Advocacy Chair, about upcoming issues to watch for. This includes things on the California May 19th, Special Election ballot. I asked her, of the issues she is raising awareness about, what are her top flags she wants people to know about:
Special Election, May 19th:
When the economy is suffering, people are stressed, homeless rates have risen, and Oprah needs to do a show before we hear about things like children committing suicide over sexual bullying: now is not the time to pull funding for services like mental health care programs, child abuse prevention, and early childhood development programs.
Prop 1E – Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63): Know anyone who suffers from depression or stress these days? Would you like to see LESS instead of more people abandoned to talking to thin air as they shuffle, homeless down the street? Voters already passed Prop 63, which went to help us all take care of these very things. However, some people don’t care that your vote counts and introduced Prop 1E to the ballot for the upcoming May 19th special election. Personally, I’m not cool about this fact, especially when it will take money from the mental health services to fill a budget gap spent with no accountability. When people are trying to rebuild their lives, now is not the time to pull their foundations, m’kay? Vote “NO” here.
Prop. 1D - Children’s Services Funding (Prop 10): Know any children? Any children with disabilities? Anyone who as a kid was been abused, adopted or sent through the foster system? Life is tough enough for them. Besides, I thought our future depended on healthy kids grown-up when we’re old and gray. So why would you want to pull $268 million per year from children’s services like child abuse prevention and early childhood development, already created by Proposition 10? Especially when they take money out of specific programs required by the voters and also spend with no accountability. Sure, I’m for filling in places that have gaps… but hey, if you gave someone $600, and they only spent $400, wouldn’t you want to see a receipt to know where your other $200 went? After all… who says wasn’t some buddy with a bridge to sell. Vote “NO” here too.
Upcoming Issues:
The Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act: Anyone you care about on Medicare? Think you may eventually need access to Medicare and want to be able to choose who you see? This act would provide 75% Medicare Part B coverage for you to see Marriage & Family Therapists along with psychiatrists and psychologists that are already covered. The act wouldn’t expand Medicare services, but it would give you and your loved ones more freedom under Medicare Part B to choose who to see. And, YES, I know I’d be happier if my dad with cancer had more choice about who could help him.
Pre-Existing Conditions: Most people don’t know that if you get support or treatment for your mental health; such as seeing a therapist, getting prescribed medication, or joining an insurance covered support group, a new insurance company will consider that a “pre-existing condition” and can currently refuse coverage. That may not be such a big deal if you get employment through a company and NEVER have a lapse of coverage — but if you are an entrepreneur or need to pay for your own health care, it would suck if they told you “too bad,” because you got anti-depressants after losing a job or a loved one. This Bill is currently being referred to a committee, so keep your eyes open or contact Michael Shepard, NAMI California, (916) 359-1675 & mshepard@winfirst.com for more information.
Mental Health Parity Act: We had a win for the Mental Health Parity Act, and it was actually signed in October of last year. Under this law the majority of health insurance plans must apply the same conditions and caps to mental health coverage that currently apply to medical and surgical coverage. Translation? If your healthcare caps medical coverage at $1 Million, they can’t cut you off at $100,000 for mental health coverage or substance abuse treatment. Why? Because it is still health care. The law goes into effect for most plans after October 3, 2009.
Root-a-toot-toot!
Kaye
