2008-07-14T21:51:59Z opencongress.org tag:opencongress.org,2007:/bill/comments/41853 2008-07-14T21:51:59Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-07-14:/comment/34067 Anonymous The benefits under social security should reflect the median income for these people. It's not their fault, so they should have the same life as anyone else. 2008-06-08T10:10:18Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-06-08:/comment/21321 ParityFanatic Its over 2.5 months since my last comment regarding Mental Health Insurance parity. Still looking for our "Full-Parity insured" Senators to be willing to expand "Real" parity to we "private-Sector Turkeys" YOUR Health coverage uses the DSM to define mental illness. YOUR insurers have been able to determine when Mental Illness coverage is necessary with NO problems. I am tired of being a 2nd Class citizen regarding mental health insurance coverage in groups of 50 or more ! What does it take for YOU to PUT your constituents First & your $$$$$$$$$$ contributors SECOND ? 2008-02-06T13:24:39Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-02-06:/comment/645 Anonymous Has there been any movement on this bill since October 2007. If not, why not. Who needs to be contacted? 2008-03-04T13:45:09Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-04:/comment/2285 Anonymous I have worked for a substance abuse facility in Stephenville Texas for the past 11 years as a benefits and claims specialist. I see hundreds of people seeking treatment for themselfes and loved ones only to turned away because of limitations or lack of substance abuse on there policies. If they do have coverage then the managed care companies deny numerous claim for simply because the patient has not tried a lower level of care and failed. This should not apply to every patient. Every patients needs are different. An adult that has drank for 40 years would not normally benefit from an outpatient program. We have to treat patients according to the managed care companies policies instead of according to the individuals medical necessity. This practice leaves many people with coverage that are seeking treatment and want to get better with no other options but to pay cash which most of the time is out of the question. What good is there coveage if they cant use it when needed. There has been an epidemic in our state for years and I as a mother and employee see the damage that this disease can do to families. There are fewer and fewer inpatient facilities for families to choose from due to such low managed care rates. It is time managed care was forced to take care of the people they cover and not try to get them a quick fix with detox and outpatient and a 30 day maximum or 3 series maximums per lifetime on policies. There goal is to use thes 3 series up in the shortest and least expensive manner possible. This is usually of no benefit to the patient. Thank you for your time. 2008-03-05T17:34:23Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-05:/comment/2328 Anonymous The House Bill is superior to the Senate version. The Senate version would permit many mental illness conditions to not be covered in a parity fashion. Its important to REMEMBER over 8.5 million Federal employees have had mental health parity in their benefit plan since 2001 using the HOUSE version on what is mental illness. Let's get a quality parity bill. A bill that honors Senator Wellstones memory. If the House passes the Wellstone version it is imperative that the joint conference with the House & Senate does not agree to an inferior definition of what is mental illness. If its good enough for our Federal employees, it should be good enough for we private sector turkeys. We deserve the SAME definitions the Federal employees have. 2008-03-06T12:25:51Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-06:/comment/2368 Anonymous Thank goodness this has passed the House! It's a shame that our country has not recognized at least one basic truth: Mental and physical health are NOT mutually exclusive! I am a psychologist who works with children with chronic medical conditions, and anyone in the behavioral medicine arena KNOWS that if mental illness is in the mix, medical health is compromised! I still think it's absurd that they want to be able to cherry-pick what is a "severe" mental illness so insurance co's can opt out of covering a broader range. If we give any optional loopholes for the insurance companies to wiggle out of coverage, they will do so. The argument that practitioners might seek payment for treatment of ALL DSM diagnoses is such a ridiculous argument... At least the first step has been made - let's see if the Congress has the cuhones to push further... 2008-03-06T14:12:27Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-06:/comment/2386 Anonymous Dear Duncan, I am disappointed with your decision on HR-1424, however, look forward to your support in establishing a working format that will help our citizens in need and reduce our tax burden that supports the cronic emergency services they required here in California. I understand your need the follow our party's line and to vote with the majority of our side of the aisle. 2008-03-06T11:50:05Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-06:/comment/2365 Anonymous As a constituent of Northern Michigan I wish to thank Representative Bart Stupak for his yes vote on the Parity bill that we have fought hard for years to have passed. This is an important milestone to help addicts and person's with mental illness have the disorder paid at an equitable rate as other illnesses. I have always felt well represented by Representative Stupak and this passage further instills my confidence in his listening to the people that don't always have the loudest voice in Washington. 2008-03-07T20:58:43Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-07:/comment/2500 Anonymous I refuse to get excited regarding the passing of these parity bills by the House & Senate. I will only be impressed when OUR representatives have the fortitude to work out a meaningful compromise. I would like to suggest that the FULL parity coverage our representatives already have in their Health insurance program be suspended until they pass this coverage for we private sector Americans. If its good enough for our "Leaders", its good enough for All of us in group plans. It is overtime to rid our country of mental health insurance discrimination in groups of 50 or more. 2008-03-08T23:45:45Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-08:/comment/2562 Anonymous The bill should include Social Security mental health benefits and reflect the average income of Americans. 2008-01-15T23:32:49Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-01-15:/comment/199 hbiola As a family doctor who sees plenty of rural people suffering from mental illness who REFUSE to "see a shrink" I end up doing a tremendous amount of care for these folks. We all know that mental illness is every bit as disabling as somatic illness-- let's pay doctors to treat these folks so they can get care! 2008-03-09T09:52:08Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-09:/comment/2601 Anonymous Just for the record these are the "Special Interests" who lobby against the Superior House legislation- HR 1424 Aetna American Benefits Council Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association ERISA Industry Committee National Association of Health Underwriters National Association of Manufacturers National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors National Business Group on Health National Restaurant Association Retail Industry Leaders Association Society for Human Rescource Management The National Retail Federation U.S. Chamber of Commerce The US Chamber of Commerce called the House Version 1424 "Mental Health Insanity" The Executive Office of the President issued a Statement of Administration Policy AGAINST HR 1424 This refusal to "GRANT" the same broad parity 8.5 million + Federal employees HAVE should be considered when YOU vote for President in November 2008. Its imperative to get your "ASS" in motion & Vote ! 2008-03-10T17:55:53Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-10:/comment/2681 ParityFanatic I have followed the Mental Health insurance parity issue for over 25 years. A family member has dealt with a significant mental illness for over 20 years. I desire mental health insurance parity to help "OTHER AMERICANS" deal with their illness. This parity is more than "Another" insurance mandate, its what American citizens deserve when their family has to deal with a mental illness. A joint House & Senate conference SHOULD meet to workout an effective meaningful compromise. Its 2008...how many more years will pass before our "representatives" put their constituents FIRST? 2008-03-12T14:42:12Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-12:/comment/2854 Anonymous you're funny. 2008-03-12T14:42:26Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-12:/comment/2855 Anonymous you're really funny lol 2008-03-12T16:04:59Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-12:/comment/2881 Anonymous gota love freedom of speech and the press. at least we have some of our rights intact. and i can assure all who read this that mental illness is as debilitating as any physical ailment can be. 2008-03-12T17:55:56Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-12:/comment/2901 ParityFanatic Any one who needs to make SUCH a comment definitely needs FULL mental health insurance coverage. Unless you are a Federal employee... YOUR health insurance STINKS for mental illness ! 2008-03-13T14:19:35Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-13:/comment/3010 Anonymous hey thats mean guys. why would you say that? 2008-03-13T14:20:40Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-13:/comment/3011 Anonymous yeah this bill is bull. its not going get passed. what idiots. 2008-03-13T14:23:25Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-13:/comment/3017 Anonymous hey yo, get money