From bomalley at mhanys.org Fri Dec 3 11:35:58 2004 From: bomalley at mhanys.org (Bryan O'Malley) Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2004 11:35:58 -0500 Subject: [Timothy's Team] Reflection and thanks during the holidays Message-ID: In this season of thanks and remembrance, we wanted to take time to reflect upon all of the positive aspects of this campaign to this point, for while we are all disappointed that Timothy's Law is not a reality at this juncture, it is important that we recognize the amazing things that all of us have accomplished. We therefore wish to reflect upon not just the activities of the past few weeks; but those of the larger campaign, and offer all of our thanks where necessary. Let's start with the immediate past. We are sincerely thankful to all of you who helped make the rally a success. About 450 people came to Albany to make sure that those in the Capitol know New Yorkers want Timothy's Law. This effort took a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication to this issue from people all over the state. Our sincere thanks go to Alexandra Zimmerman, whose tireless (used in the most literal sense of the phrase) efforts and sense of dedication brought her on a 122 mile trek from Warwick to Albany, in memory of her High School classmate, Robin Desrats. We thank the Desrats, who worked so hard with Alexandra to ensure that her walk was a success, and who brought their daughter's story to the fore of public discussion so that other families will not have to endure what they did. We thank everyone who helped coordinate throughout the state: organizing busses, publicizing the rally locally, and serving as local point people. We thank those elected officials who continue to recognize the importance of this law, and took time out of their busy schedule to attend the rally - officials such as Assemblyman Paul Tonko, sponsor of Timothy's Law in the Assembly and a tireless advocate for our cause, Assemblyman James Brennan, Senate Minority Leader David Paterson, Albany County Legislator E. Nancy Wiley and Assemblywoman-elect Donna Lupardo, whose work at the MHA of the Southern Tier has provided firsthand experience that will drive her advocacy within the Assembly. Finally, we thank all of you who were able to take time out from your busy day to join us. 450 of you came by foot, bus, car, truck, van, and I think there was even a bike or two. We appreciate all of your dedication. The rally was made the success it was thanks to your dedication. Another presence at the rally, a woman who deserves to be thanked, is Sue Wheeler. A small businesswoman in Binghamton, Sue took it upon herself to launch Small businesses for Timothy's Law. She is launching this group in the face of opposition to the bill from the powerful National Federation of Independent Businesses and Business Council of New York State, who she insists do not represent her interests as a small business owner. She knows she is not alone out there, and is actively organizing small business owners from throughout the state to join her in fighting for the best interests of their business by fighting FOR Timothy's Law. If you own a small business, or know someone who does, and would like to join Susan's effort, please contact Michael Seereiter at mseereiter at mhanys.org. We thank all of the small businesses who are standing up to the groups who are misrepresenting their interests. But, while this latest rally helped reinforce the strength and continuing growth in size of the Timothy's Law movement, it was by no means the only thing that we have to be thankful for. We have to thank the O'Clair family. While their dedication and willingness to sacrifice has been mentioned time and time again, it can never be forgotten. Their willingness to lend Timothy's name to this campaign, and serve as the public face, is an inspiration to us all. Their willingness to offer counsel to those who find themselves in similar situations is amazing. All in all, their tireless dedication and optimism has allowed this campaign to become what it is today, and for that, we can never repay them. We thank all of you. Timothy's Law has gained such widespread support throughout the state because you have identified it as a priority. You have talked about it to friends and family. You have written letters to the editor, and to your legislators. You have forced this issue onto the radar screen of almost every person in New York State. While the O'Clairs have been the public face for this campaign around the state, it would have gone nowhere had individuals like you not latched onto it at the local level and moved forward. You have come up with so many ideas that the campaign has been able to use. You have proved the impetus for so many of our decisions. And when we get tired, when we start to get depressed, it is you who cheer us on and remind us that this fight is not for us, it is for all of you. It is you who remind us that we need to win, and can accept nothing less than victory. It is you who keep us going, and keep us strong. Thank you. We thank every one of the legislators who have time and again supported Timothy's Law. The support that Assemblyman Paul Tonko has provided is amazing. WE could never have anticipated such a vocal and hardworking sponsor when we first approached him as Tom and Donna O'Clair's Assemblymember; however, he has certainly taken this issue and made it his own. Assemblyman Tonko has been supported in his efforts by many of his colleagues, most notably Assembly Insurance Chair Pete Grannis, and Assembly Mental Health Chair Peter Rivera. These two have provided Assemblyman Tonko with the support they needed, and when it came time to bring the issue to Speaker Silver, they presented a powerful case. We do also need to thank Speaker Silver, who committed his time and energy last year on this issue, and demonstrated his entire conference's support for the bill when he agreed to help push for a tax credit for small businesses as a compromise to the stalled Timothy's Law. Assemblyman Joel Miller also deserves strong kudos for his support of Timothy's Law. Two years ago, the Assemblyman took the rare step of admitting he had cast an incorrect vote the prior year, and in doing so began what would amount to two years of strong advocacy for Timothy's Law, both as a member of the minority conference in the Assembly and as a small businessman. These represent some of the more vocal members of the Assembly who have supported Timothy's Law; however, we recognize that the bill passed with 133 members supporting it, and that many of those members have publicized it in their newsletters to constituents and other resources. We thank all of them. On the Senate side, our thanks came in mixed forms. We are thankful to the 57 Senators who, either through sponsorship or the completion of what is commonly referred to as a blue-slip, indicated their support for S.5329, Timothy's Law. Further, although none of the advocates thought it was enough, and the O'Clair family deemed it, "far short of Timothy's Law," the Senate's vote to pass their version of mental health parity legislation last year represented the first time in the body's history that the measure had come to the floor and passed in any form. We are thankful that they have heard that their constituents want parity, and that, with some work,we can get to the point where we can all be happy. We must also give thanks to the Senate Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader David Paterson and longtime parity advocate Senator Tom Duane. On the night that the Senate passed their weaker version of parity, the Senate Democrats stood strong and debated in favor of Timothy's Law. Senator Duane introduced an amendment that would have substituted Timothy's Law for the watered down bill, and Senators Paterson, Schneiderman, and Liz Krueger joined him in supporting S.5329 and providing rousing debate in favor of strong mental health and chemical dependency health insurance parity. We thank the hundreds of organizations who have signed on in support of Timothy's Law throughout the state. Our supporters sheet is full, and if the font gets any smaller, we will have to hand out complimentary magnifying glasses so that everyone can read the names. The support this movement enjoys crosses traditional advocacy lines. We enjoy the support of not only the mental health and chemical dependency communities; but countless others as well. We enjoy the support of groups representing the healthcare community, as well as those representing organized labor and the religious community. The breadth of support is amazing, and we hope it continues to grow. We thank Ryan Deppa, a young man from the Southern Tier who has used his creative talents to create Project Timmy, a fundraiser and educational tool that utilizes the efforts of musicians and artists throughout the Southern tier and Western New York to help spread the word about Timothy's Law and raise money for the effort. He has arranged two events, at Foster's in Alleghany, NY on December 11, and at the Floodzone in Limestone, NY on December 12. Admission to both events will be $5. For more information, please contact Ryan at rdeppa_mhaadvocate at yahoo.com. We also give thanks to the media, who have covered this story from every angle, throughout the state. From Buffalo to Albany, Plattsburgh to Long Island, reporters have picked up on this story and run with it. Many have taken it upon themselves to identify a local family who has been affected by the lack of parity. Many have taken weeks to research the issue in depth and present a compelling case for parity. We have even gained the attention of a few national audiences. All have been touched in some way by this cause. This attention has allowed us to reach more people than we could have thought possible, and we are thankful. The reporters, producers, editors and anchors who have helped us are too many to name here; but, in each of your communities, you know who they are. But, again, all of this comes down to you. We know it. You know it. The legislators know it. Thank you, and we hope you enjoy an even happier and healthy holiday season. Please forward this note of thanks to anyone you think might be interested. If you have any questions or comments, please do not reply to this message. Instead, send a message to bomalley at mhanys.org. Refer A Friend Friend's Name: Friend's Email: Your Name: Your Email: -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: In this season of thanks and remembrance -12-3-04.doc Type: application/msword Size: 37376 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mseereiter at mhanys.org Mon Dec 13 17:42:06 2004 From: mseereiter at mhanys.org (Michael Seereiter) Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 17:42:06 -0500 Subject: [Timothy's Team] A Call for Stories - Timothy's Law and ChangingMental Health Benefits Message-ID: Once again, members of the Timothy's Law Campaign need your help to move our effort forward. Many of us have notieced, during this time of health insurance open enrollment, that some of the health insurers are making changes to the mental health and addiction treatment coverage they provide. For example, some people who subscribe to the Capital District Physicians Health Plan (CDPHP) have noticed that they will be limited to a 60-day lifefime limit on inpatient mental health coverage, beginning next year. In addition, CDPHP will institute a 7-day per year limit on inpatient chemical dependency treatment, with a $500 co-pay, next year as well. If you have or anyone you know has a health insurance policy that will be making regressive changes to the mental health and addiction treatment coverage they provide, we need to hear from you!! We are collecting these stories and plan to highlight several of the changes in health insurance policies as examples of why Timothy's Law is necessary, next week. Please contact Michael Seereiter at mseereiter at mhanys.org or at 518-434-0439 x21 if your health insurance will be making changes that will negatively impact your mental health and addiction treatment coverage. Responses to this e-mail will not get to Michael, so contact him at the information provided above. And as always, keep in mind that Timothy's Law wouldn't be what it is today without you. To continue our momentum toward enactment of Timothy's Law, please consider sending a friend an invitation to join Timothy's Team for periodic updates on Timothy's Law. Thanks for all your continued support and hard work!! Refer A Friend Friend's Name: Friend's Email: Your Name: Your Email: -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Helath Insurance Open Enrollment Changes 12-13-04.doc Type: application/msword Size: 27136 bytes Desc: not available URL: