From bomalley at mhanys.org Fri Feb 27 11:19:45 2004 From: bomalley at mhanys.org (Bryan O'Malley) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 11:19:45 -0500 Subject: [Timothy's Team] Timothy's Law - Back again in 2004 Message-ID: <004001c3fd4d$83c4fca0$8901a8c0@MHA> Well, it has been a long time since we last communicated with you, and since that time, Timothy's Law has gotten off to a great start in this year's Legislative Session. The momentum from last year's campaign has carried over to this year, and there is still a "buzz" in the air around Albany, and throughout the state, about Timothy's Law. Indeed, Jim Franco, a reporter for the Troy Record who provided us with such great coverage in Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's hometown following our rally on September 16, mentioned Timothy's Law as one of the pieces that would be back this year for another strong push in his first article on the session this year (see link for "Groundhog Day"). This early media attention was supplemented recently in both Syracuse and the Hudson Valley. In Syracuse, Debra Graham, a staunch supporter of Timothy's Law ever since her son Josh completed suicide in the Spring of last year, was able to secure media attention on WSTM (see link for "Fighting for Life"). Both the Middletown Times Herald Record did a wonderful article on Timothy's story and the need for Timothy's Law following a one day tour of the Hudson Valley by Tom O'Clair and Michael Seereiter, Director of Public Policy for the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) (see link for "Timothy's Law awaits Legislature"). A great thanks goes out to both, who gave up their President's Day holiday to go out there and continue to get the word out about this important legislation. This attention has resulted in the Employer Alliance for Affordable Healthcare, an group of small businesses supported by the health insurance industry, sending a letter to targeted members of the Legislature and the media which lies about the effects Timothy's Law would have on businesses and consumers in New York. This resulted in a story this past Monday in The Daily Star, a newspaper out of Oneonta which laid out both sides of the argument very nicely (see link for "Timothy's Law Spurs Debate" ). However, as proof of how compelling the argument is for Timothy's Law, the paper still issued an editorial calling on the passage on this legislation (see link for "Insurance Should Cover Mental Health") With all of this news surrounding Timothy's Law, the bill's supporters have been busy mounting a new campaign to pass Timothy's Law this year. We would like to inform you of several steps that you can now take to help pass Timothy's Law. * Tuesday, March 9 is a call-in day. We want to fill the Senate's phone lines with calls telling them it is time to pass Timothy's Law. Please make two phone calls on Tuesday March 9, one to your State Senator and the other to Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno. Tell them, "I am willing to pay $1.26 for mental health and chemical dependency insurance. Please pass Timothy's Law, Senate bill 5329." Call the Senate switchboard at (518) 455-2800 and ask to be connected to your Senator. To find out who your Senator is, visit http://map01.elections.state.ny.us/boe/main.asp. * Tuesday, March 16 is the Rally to Support Timothy's Law. Join hundreds of Timothy's Law supporters at the Capitol in calling for passage of Timothy's Law at a rally on the Capitol steps, then meet with your Senator to personally inform them about how important Timothy's Law is to you. Last year, this was extremely effective, and lots of fun, and with buses scheduled to arrive from all over the state (currently planned from Buffalo, Binghamton, Westchester, New York City, and Long Island, more locations may be added if a need arises) it is sure to be even more well attended. Learn more about this rally by visiting http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/mar16rally.pdf (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this website). * Help Spread the Word. One of the best ways you can help pass Timothy's Law is to tell everyone you know about the bill. The more people who know about this bill, the more likely it is to pass. Because let's face facts, with 1 in 5 Americans living with mental illness, odds are, someone in their family would be effected. Learn more creative, simple, fun ways you can help pass Timothy's Law by visiting http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/helppass.htm. Be sure to check back to this site often, as there are always new and exciting ways you can help. Finally, please pass this e-mail on to your friends, colleagues, and peers. The tool at the bottom of this page will let you forward this e-mail privately (we collect no information when it is forwarded). By spreading the word and getting others to become members of Timothy's Team, you will be helping to further build the movement to pass Timothy's Law. As always, thanks for all of your hard work. NEWS LINKS Groundhog Day - http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsgroundhog.htm Fighting for Life - http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsfightingforlife.htm Timothy's Law Awaits Legislature - http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newstlawaitsleg.htm Timothy's Law Spurs Debate - http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsspursdebate.htm Insurance Should Cover Mental Health - http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsshouldcover.htm Please note, if you have any questions or comments stemming from this e-mail message, or would like to help in any way, please contact bomalley at mhanys.org. 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