[Timothy's Team] Timothy's Law - Back again in 2004

[Bryan O'Malley]

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>
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>
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>
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>
http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsgroundhog.htm
 
Fighting for Life -
<http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsfightingforlife.htm>
http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newsfightingforlife.htm
 
Timothy's Law Awaits Legislature -
<http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/newstlawaitsleg.htm>
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
<mailto:bomalley at mhanys.org> bomalley at mhanys.org.  Replying to this
e-mail will not receive a response.  

 

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