I don't support the idea of additional mandates but the notion that mental illness should be treated as a second class illness or, worse, that consumers should not have a choice about how their illness should be treated flies in the face of both science and consumer choice. The legislation before the House and Senate would require simply that coverage for eating disorders or schizophrenia be treated the same a sinus infections. In most cases they are not. And in most cases the rationing imposed on the former has lead to a revolving door of care that complicates treatment and drives up total costs overall.
In a consumer driven world, we could shift our dollars to what ails us most and find the best sources of care. But we are not there yet. In the meantime, the efforts of Congressmen Patrick Kennedy and Jim Ramstead should be commended along with those of Senator Pete Domenici to eliminate disparities in how mental illness is regarded by many health plans.
In a consumer driven world, we could shift our dollars to what ails us most and find the best sources of care. But we are not there yet. In the meantime, the efforts of Congressmen Patrick Kennedy and Jim Ramstead should be commended along with those of Senator Pete Domenici to eliminate disparities in how mental illness is regarded by many health plans.
