From mseereiter at mhanys.org Tue May 2 16:48:30 2006
From: mseereiter at mhanys.org (Michael Seereiter)
Date: Tue, 2 May 2006 16:48:30 -0400
Subject: [Timothy's Team] Timothy's Team Update - This Week's Events on Long
Island, White Plains
Message-ID: <014f01c66e29$c8e9fc50$3f01a8c0@MHA>
Dear Timothy's Law Supporters,
After a wonderfully successful march and rally in Binghamton (see coverage
below), the Timothy's Law Campaign is now ramping up efforts to demonstrate
the strong grassroots support Timothy's Law has from folks on Long Island
and in Westchester County. Tom O'Clair will be at all of the events taking
place this week and the event taking place over the weekend as well.
May 4th - Meetings with Senators from Long Island
Following below, and attached to this e-mail, is information relating to the
meetings scheduled with Senators on Long Island coming up. While a couple
of the meeting have yet to be confirmed, we hope that if you live in the
district of one of the Senators listed below, that you will consider
attending a meeting with that Senator to support Timothy's Law.
Meet With Your Senator, Show Your Support For Timothy's Law (S.6735-a)
Meetings with Senators from Long Island have been scheduled to demonstrate
the support for Timothy's Law on Long Island. Following below is a list of
the meetings scheduled with each Senator and the coordinator for that
meeting. To participate, contact the coordinator of that event. If you
don't know who your Senator is, go to
http://nymap.elections.state.ny.us/nysboe/.
Senator Charles Fuschillo
2:00 p.m. on May 4th
30 South Ocean Avenue
Freeport, NY
To attend, contact Paule Pachter at
legiscmte at yahoo.com or 516-822-6111 x252
Senator Kenneth LaValle
2:00 p.m. on May 9th
325 Middle Country Rd, #4
Selden, NY
To attend, contact Jason Reis
jreis at mhasuffolk.org or 631-226-3900
Senator Carl Marcellino May 4th (2 meetings)
250 Townsend Square
Oyster Bay, NY
10:00 a.m. - To attend, contact Janet Ulrich at
lift4kids at verizon.net or 631-264-5438
10:30 a.m. - To attend, contact Paule Pachter at
legiscmte at yahoo.com or 516-822-6111 x252
Senator Michael Balboni
2:30 p.m. on May 4th
151 Herricks Road, Suite 202
Garden City Park, NY
To attend, contact Janet Susin at
jasusin at optonline.net or 516-627-0887
Senator Kemp Hannon
Meeting time not finalized
224 Seventh St., Suite 200 Garden City, NY
To attend, contact Diane Lang at
familygig at aol.com or 516-541-9792
Senator John Flanagan
Meeting time not finalized
260 Middle Country Rd. #203
Smithtown, NY
To attend, contact Rich Timo, RTimo at familyres.org or (631) 273-1300
Senator Dean Skelos
Meeting time not finalized
55 Front Street
Rockville Centre, NY
To attend, contact Marcia Feuer at
mfeuer at mhanc.org or 516-489-2322 x1313
May 5th - Rally for Timothy's Law in White Plains
Flyer is attached
WESTCHESTER RALLY FOR TIMOTHY'S LAW
What is Timothy's law?
Timothy's Law is a bill (A. 2912-A / S. 6735-A) that would require health
insurers and HMO's (health maintenance organizations)
in New York State to provide coverage for mental illness and chemical
dependency equal to that which is provided for other medical conditions.
It would end the discrimination.
FRIDAY, MAY 5
12:00 - 1:00 PM
RENAISSANCE PLAZA
WHITE PLAINS
(the fountains at the intersection of Mamaroneck Ave. and Main St.)
It's time to END the DISCRIMINATION!,36 other states have parity laws!
For more information please contact Eva Dech or Dally Sanchez of the
Westchester Independent Living Center at 682-3926
May 7th - NAMI's Walk for Mental Health, Featuring Timothy's Law, at Jones
Beach
On Sunday, May 7th, thousands of people will gather for a Walk for Mental
Health, featuring Tom O'Clair and advocating for passage of Timothy's Law.
The Walk will take place at Jones Beach, Field #5. Check in is at 9:00
a.m., kick-off at 10:00 a.m. The event will feature live entertainment,
face painting and clowns. Additional details are available at
http://www.timothyslaw.org/Three%20great%20reasons%20flyer%20for%20agencies.
pdf.
Future Timothy's Law Events Around the State
Additional events in support of Timothy's Law are being planned for Utica,
Rockland County and an event in the Capital Region. For more information,
go to
http://www.timothyslaw.org/events.php.
Following below is the coverage from just one of Binghamton's major
television stations, all of which covered the Binghamton Timothy's Law march
and rally on the 6:00 and 11:00 news on April 21st.
Timothy's Law Rally
Binghamton's NBC Affiliate, News Channel 34 April 21, 2006
If you were in downtown Binghamton, you might have noticed a large group of
people walking down Court Street with picket signs towards the State Office
Building for a rally there.
NewsChannel 34's Peter Quinn has more on their push to pass a law requiring
health insurance companies to treat people who are mentally ill as long as
they need it.
The group knows what it wants. Right now, under many health insurance
programs, people who are mentally ill can't get the treatment they need. The
Assembly's version of the bill, known as Timothy's Law, was approved last
month and it would change that.
Lupardo says, "It basically ends the discrimination that people who are
seeking mental health services face, because there is limited coverage for
people who have mental illness. What we are trying to do is have mental
health insurance parody, it's equality. It treats mental illness on a par
with physical illness."
Timothy's Law is named after 12 year-old Timothy O'Clair of Schenectady who
committed suicide five years ago after he didn't get the mental care he
needed. His father spoke today.
O'Clair says, "We had fought for four and a half years to get him the level
and the amount of mental health care and treatment that he needed to deal
with his mental health issues. But, due to limits imposed by the insurance
industry we weren't able to bring it to him."
The rally's purpose was to put pressure on the Senate to also pass Timothy's
Law.
Now, the State Senate does have its own version of the bill. Actually, it's
sponsored by State Senator Tom Libous who used to chair the Mental Health
Committee. Under the Senate's version, it would require health insurers to
treat people who are mentally ill or who have other biological disorders..
However, it does not span out as far as the Assembly's version.
Libous says, "The Assembly bill is much too broad. It goes way too far. And,
it's not a bill that's business-friendly either. It would really put a lot
of small businesses in jeopardy. But, having said that, I think the Senate
bill, if the Assembly would be willing to compromise and talk with the
Senate, which they are not willing to do, we could have a very good mental
health parody bill on the books."
Libous says insurance costs would increase under the Assembly's version
because it's so broad and includes treating pedophiles, people who have
disorders from drinking too much caffeine, and those who used cocaine for a
long time. People at the rally say it's time for Timothy's Law to become law
before another tragedy happens.
Another note about the Senate's version, Libous says it's comparable to what
other states have.
HAVE A FRIEND WHO YOU THINK MIGHT WANT TO JOIN TIMOTHY'S TEAM?
Refer A Friend
Friend's Name:
Friend's Email:
Your Name:
Your Email:
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From mseereiter at mhanys.org Mon May 8 15:10:23 2006
From: mseereiter at mhanys.org (Michael Seereiter)
Date: Mon, 8 May 2006 15:10:23 -0400
Subject: [Timothy's Team] Timothy's Team Update - Utica and Rockland County
Events This Week
Message-ID: <027401c672d3$0f3909a0$3f01a8c0@MHA>
Dear Timothy's Law Supporters,
Events on Long Island and in White Plains last week and over the weekend
were tremendously successful in demonstrating the support that Timothy's Law
has in communities throughout New York State. An update on these events
will be coming shortly. In the meantime, we want to get the word out about
Timothy's Law events planned to take place in Utica and Rockland County this
week and weekend.
MAY 12th MARCH AND RALLY FOR TIMOTHY'S LAW IN UTICA, NY: On Friday, May
12th, Timothy's Law supporters in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York
will march, starting at the Catholic Charities offices (1408 Genesee
Street), down Genesee Street through downtown Utica to the State Office
Building at 207 Genesee Street. The march begins at 12:00 noon and once at
the State Office Building, supporters of Timothy's Law will rally for
passage of Timothy's Law (S.6735-a) in the NYS Senate. The rally should
take place no later than 12:30 at the State Office Building. Following
below, and attached to this e-mail, is the flyer for this event. Please
feel free to distribute far and wide. To participate in the planning for
this event, please contact Michael Seereiter at mseereiter at mhanys.org or
518-434-0439 x221.
Text Box:
UTICA
SUPPORTS
TIMOTHY'S LAW!
Timothy's Law is a bill in New York State (A.2912-A / S.6735-A), named in
memory of Timothy O'Clair, a 12-year old boy who completed suicide in March
2001 following a 5 year struggle with mental illness. If enacted, this
legislation would amend the Insurance Law to require health insurers and
health maintenance organizations (HMO's) in New York State to provide
coverage for mental illness and addiction services equal to that which is
provided for other medical conditions by such insurers and HMO's.
In March, the NYS Assembly passed Timothy's Law by a vote of 134-9. It is
now up to the members of the NYS Senate to Pass Timothy's Law in 2006 to end
the insurance practices that discriminate against those with mental health
and addiction needs, which have led to tragedies like Timothy's.
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2006
March and Rally for
Timothy's Law (S.6735-a)
On May 12, 2006, supporters of Timothy's Law will demonstrate the broad
support Timothy's Law enjoys in UTICA, NY by holding a march down Genesee
Street from Catholic Charities, 1408 Genesee Street, to the State Office
Building at 207 Genesee St. starting at 12:00 noon. Once at the State
Office Building, supporters will rally outside the State Office Building to
advocate for the passage Timothy's Law (S.6735-A) by our NYS Senate. Please
join Timothy's Law supporters at Catholic Charities for the march and/or
rally at the State Office Building on May 12, 2005 at 12:30 to show your
support for mental health insurance parity by the passage of Timothy's Law
in 2006!
MAY 13th MENTAL WELLNESS AND PARITY WALK, ROCKLAND COUNTY, CONGERS, NY: The
day after the events in Utica, Timothy's Law supporters from Rockland County
will gather at Rockland Lake State Park in Congers to participate in a 3.1
mile Mental Wellness and Parity Walk. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. on
Saturday morning, May 13th. The entry fee is $20 for individuals and $25
for families - all proceeds go towards education and awareness programs.
This event, organized by the Mental Health Association of Rockland County,
the Mental Health Coalition of Rockland County, NAMI-FAMILYA, and Families
and Friends of Nathan Kline Institute will be held in memory of Jerry Klein,
a long-time mental health advocate and leader in the mental health
community. The walk starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 13th.
For additional information, please call 845-267-2172 x322.
HAVE A FRIEND WHO YOU THINK MIGHT WANT TO JOIN TIMOTHY'S TEAM?
Refer A Friend
Friend's Name:
Friend's Email:
Your Name:
Your Email:
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From mseereiter at mhanys.org Mon May 15 15:29:24 2006
From: mseereiter at mhanys.org (Michael Seereiter)
Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 15:29:24 -0400
Subject: [Timothy's Team] Timothy's Law Phone-in May 17
Message-ID: <024e01c67855$e00a9120$3f01a8c0@MHA>
Phone-in for
Timothy's Law 2006
Wednesday, May 17
Call
Senate Majority Leader Bruno
in Albany
518-455-3191
Call Senator Bruno with this message:
"Timothy's Law (S. 6735-a) must be enacted NOW. I am deeply concerned that
New Yorkers are still without necessary mental health and substance abuse
treatment. I respectfully request that you, as the Majority Leader of the
Senate, do whatever it takes to end the discrimination and make Timothy's
Law a reality in 2006."
The Timothy's Law Campaign is comprised of advocates, family members,
consumers, and providers who support insurance parity for persons in need of
mental heath and chemical dependency treatment.
www.timothyslaw.org
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From mseereiter at mhanys.org Mon May 22 14:22:58 2006
From: mseereiter at mhanys.org (Michael Seereiter)
Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 14:22:58 -0400
Subject: [Timothy's Team] Timothy's Law Events This Week In Watertown And
Hudson, Next Week Saratoga Springs
Message-ID: <00f201c67dcc$c13defe0$3f01a8c0@MHA>
TIMOTHY'S LAW EVENTS CONTINUE IN LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE,
DEMONSTRATING STRONG GRASSROOTS SUPPORT
With extremely successful events having taken place in Utica and Rockland
County over the past 2 weeks, Timothy's Law supporters in the North Country
and Hudson Valley are preparing to show their support for enactment of
Timothy's Law with events to be held this week.
The first is taking place in Watertown on Wednesday May 24th, with the 2nd
Annual Walk for Mental Health Awareness. This event, sponsored by North
Country Transitional Living Services, Samaritan Medical Center, Mercy
Behavioral Health Services, Northern Regional Center for Independent Living,
Mental Health Association in Jefferson County, and The Children's Home of
Jefferson County begins at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning at Watertown's
City Hall and will proceed to Watertown's Thompson Park. Additional details
are available at
http://www.timothyslaw.org/2006mhwalkposter.pdf.
The following evening, on Thursday, May 25th, supporters of Timothy's Law
from the Hudson Valley will gather for a Candlelight Vigil in Hudson. The
Vigil will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Seventh Street Park at the top of
Warren St. in downtown Hudson. For additional information, or to get
involved in this event, contact Tim Farley at 518-758-6369.
Tom O'Clair and members of the Timothy's Law Campaign will be present at
both of these events.
Save the Date:
June 2nd, 12:00 noon, Capital Region Rally for Timothy's Law in Saratoga
Springs.
For more information, or to get involved with this event, contact Mary Jean
Coleman at 518-899-0021 or mjcoleman at afsp.org.
The flyer advertising this event is available at
www.timothyslaw.org/flyerSAR.pdf.
HAVE A FRIEND WHO YOU THINK MIGHT WANT TO JOIN TIMOTHY'S TEAM?
Refer A Friend
Friend's Name:
Friend's Email:
Your Name:
Your Email:
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