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."