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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=043204021-13122004><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=432141322-13122004>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=center><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><SPAN class=631571017-24032006><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2><FONT color=#000000 size=5><STRONG><EM><U>Takin' It To The
Streets</U></EM></STRONG></FONT> </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><SPAN
class=631571017-24032006></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Dear
Timothy’s Law Supporters:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black">Presently, the NYS Legislature is working feverishly toward
enactment of the 2006-07 budget by the April 1<SUP>st</SUP> deadline.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Shortly after that is finished, all
attention will then turn to legislation, and Timothy’s Law must be at the top of
that priority list!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As you receive
this, major plans are in the works to demonstrate the widespread community and
grassroots support for Timothy’s Law to ensure this becomes law in 2006.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black">After
years of legislative gridlock, the Timothy’s Law Campaign is <B>“Takin’ it to
the Streets</B>”, as Michael McDonald once wrote, and we need everyone to pitch
in! <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For the next few months, the
fight for parity in insurance coverage for mental health care and addiction
treatment services will be won through an <B>all-out grass roots
mobilization</B> throughout <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New York</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Local groups are already forming to plan
media events, rallies, and voter mobilization in communities from Long Island to
Westchester, Queens to <st1:City w:st="on">Binghamton</st1:City>, and <st1:City
w:st="on">Rochester</st1:City> to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Rockland</st1:place></st1:City>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black">This
is the first in a series of regular updates from the Timothy’s Law Campaign to
help coordinate the efforts of thousands of New Yorkers willing to pitch in and
help win <B><I>Timothy’s Law in 2006</I></B>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><U><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><FONT color=#000000></FONT></SPAN></o:p></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000><SPAN
class=631571017-24032006><FONT color=#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
color=#000000><STRONG><U><FONT size=4>LETS START WITH THE
BASICS:<o:p></o:p></FONT></U></STRONG></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
color=#000000></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in"><FONT
color=#000000><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">1)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></B><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Endorse Timothy’s
Law</B> - First, if your local agency, PTA, association, church, school, union,
business, or trade association has not yet done so, please be sure to
<B><I>endorse Timothy’s Law</I></B>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It’s easy - just fax the <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Endorsement Form</I> attached to this e-mail
and found on the Timothy’s Law website at </FONT><A
href="http://www.timothyslaw.org/endorsementform.pdf">http://www.timothyslaw.org/endorsementform.pdf</A><FONT
color=#000000> to Ruth Foster at 518-434-6478.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in"><FONT
color=#000000><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">2)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></B><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Spread the Word</B> –
Second, encourage others you know to support Timothy’s Law.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One easy way to spread the word is to
encourage others to <B><I>join</I></B> <B><I>Timothy’s Team</I></B> to receive
these updates.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Anyone can sign up
by going to </FONT><A
href="http://www.timothyslaw.org/">http://www.timothyslaw.org/</A><FONT
color=#000000> and clicking on <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Join
Timothy’s Team</I> (along the right hand side). <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><B><I>Timothy's Team</I></B> will provide
timely updates about what is happening in the Campaign and what steps you can
take to aid in passing this landmark legislation.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in"><FONT
color=#000000><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">3)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></B><B>Contact your State Senator</B> today to let him/her know
that you are part of the fight for insurance parity in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">New York</st1:State></st1:place> and that <B>you
want the Senate to pass Timothy’s Law (S.6735) right away.</B></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><FONT
color=#000000><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>You can reach your Senator by calling his/her district
office phone number.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A list of all
NYS Senators and their contact information is attached to this e-mail and can
also be found at </FONT><A
href="http://www.timothyslaw.org/senators.pdf">http://www.timothyslaw.org/senators.pdf</A><FONT
color=#000000>. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><FONT
color=#000000><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>You can also contact your Senator in their <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Albany</st1:place></st1:City> office by calling
518-455-2800 and simply asking to be connected with your Senator’s
office.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><FONT
color=#000000><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>E-mail your Senator by going to the Timothy’s Law website
(</FONT><A href="http://www.timothyslaw.org/">www.timothyslaw.org</A><FONT
color=#000000>) and clicking on <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">E-mail
Your Legislator</I> (along the right hand side).</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><FONT
color=#000000><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Write a letter to your Senator (and fax<SPAN
class=631571017-24032006> </SPAN>Ruth Foster a copy at
518-434-6478).</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><FONT color=#000000>If
you’re unsure about who your Senator is, go to </FONT><A
href="http://nymap.elections.state.ny.us/nysboe/">http://nymap.elections.state.ny.us/nysboe/</A><FONT
color=#000000>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In addition, a link
to this website is also found on the Timothy’s Law website where you can <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Email Your Legislator</I>.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=631571017-24032006><FONT color=#0000ff size=2> <FONT size=3><FONT
size=3></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=631571017-24032006></SPAN> </P></FONT></FONT>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><U><FONT
color=#000000><FONT size=4>CALL FOR
VOLUNTEERS:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></U></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000>We need <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">volunteers</B> to step forward to help with
activities in your local community, activities in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Albany</st1:City></st1:place>, media work, voter mobilization, a
statewide bus tour, phone banking and other activities aimed at enacting
Timothy’s Law.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In addition to the
<I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Volunteer Form</I> (which is attached to
this e-mail), a number of useful items that will be helpful in organizing
Timothy’s Law supporters throughout the state can be found at </FONT><A
href="http://www.timothyslaw.org/getinvolved.htm">http://www.timothyslaw.org/getinvolved.htm</A><FONT
color=#000000>.</FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=631571017-24032006> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=631571017-24032006><FONT size=3></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=631571017-24032006></SPAN><SPAN class=631571017-24032006><FONT
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </P></FONT>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><U><FONT
color=#000000><FONT size=4>TELL YOUR
STORY:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></U></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000>As <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New York</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> has thus far failed to enact
Timothy’s Law, additional families and individuals have experienced the impact
of discrimination in health insurance coverage, just like the O’Clair
family.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">We need those families and individuals to
come join the O’Clair family and many others in sharing those stories.</B><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you have a personal story that you
would be willing to share about how coverage limits or excessive co-payments for
mental health and addiction treatment have caused hardship for you or your
family, please let us know.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>New
stories are a crucial component of making Timothy’s Law a reality in
2006.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000>Anyone with a
story to share can contact either Ruth Foster at 518-432-0333 or </FONT><A
href="mailto:rfoster@ftnys.org">rfoster@ftnys.org</A><FONT color=#000000> or
Maryann White at 518-463-5612 or </FONT><A
href="mailto:TL@cfthomeless.org">TL@cfthomeless.org</A><FONT
color=#000000>.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2><FONT size=3><FONT size=2><FONT size=3></FONT></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=2></FONT></o:p> </P></FONT></FONT>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><FONT color=#000000><FONT size=4>PLANNED
EVENTS:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000>At this
point, we have firm plans for events to take place in two areas of the
state</FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=631571017-24032006><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>:</FONT> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT color=#000000>A rally in support of
Timothy’s Law in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Binghamton</st1:place></st1:City> – April 21,
2006<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT color=#000000>Rallies in support of
Timothy’s Law in multiple locations on <st1:place w:st="on">Long
Island</st1:place> - May 4, 2006<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000>As details on
these events become available, they will be posted on the Timothy’s Law website
at </FONT><A
href="http://www.timothyslaw.org/events.htm">http://www.timothyslaw.org/events.htm</A><FONT
color=#000000>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To get involved
with the planning for either of these events, please contact Michael Seereiter
at 518-434-0439 x221 or </FONT><A
href="mailto:mseereiter@mhanys.org">mseereiter@mhanys.org</A><FONT
color=#000000>.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=2></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000>In the
upcoming <SPAN class=631571017-24032006>weeks and </SPAN>months, Timothy’s
Team updates will provide information on <B>coordinated campaign activities</B>,
share templates for this year’s <B>postcard campaign</B>, and a <B>kick-off
event</B> in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Albany</st1:City></st1:place>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>In addition, as information becomes available, it will be posted to the
Timothy’s Law website at </FONT><A
href="http://www.timothyslaw.org/events.htm">http://www.timothyslaw.org/events.htm</A><FONT
color=#000000>.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000>Lawmakers
will be hearing about <B><I>Timothy’s Law 2006</I></B> in their hometowns and
your efforts will make all the difference. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">T<SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">hank you for your help </SPAN></B>in helping
to win passage of <B><I>Timothy’s Law in 2006</I></B>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN> We look forward to working
together with you!!!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000>Following
below is a recent article on the passage of Timothy’s Law in the NYS
Assembly.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"></SPAN><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT
size=2></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=043204021-13122004></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<FORM name=form1 action=http://www.kilakwa.net/cgi-bin/cgiemail/tt.txt
method=post>
<TABLE width=350 border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD colSpan=2><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Refer A
Friend</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Friend's Name: </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><INPUT id=fname name=fname>
</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Friend's Email: </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><INPUT id=femail2
name=femail> </FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Your Name: </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><INPUT id=name2 name=name>
</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Your Email:</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><INPUT id=email2 name=email>
</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV align=right><FONT
face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><INPUT type=submit value=Submit name=Submit>
</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P></P>
<P></P></FORM>
<P><SPAN><SPAN class=631571017-24032006><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2> </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN><SPAN class=631571017-24032006> </SPAN><STRONG>Revived Timothy’s
Law Passes Assembly</STRONG><BR><I>North <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Gazette</st1:PlaceName></st1:place></I>, March 10,
2006<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">ALBANY---Timothy's Law, a mental-health parity
bill aimed at ending discrimination against mental-health care and addiction
treatment by insurance companies in New York State, has been passed by the state
Assembly. At a Capitol news conference, prior to the bill's passage, sponsor
Assemblyman Paul Tonko was joined by Assembly Insurance Committee Chair
Alexander "Pete" Grannis and Peter Rivera, chair of the Mental Health, Mental
Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Committee as well as
mental-health-care advocates in urging the Senate also to approve the measure
this year. The legislators hailed the bill's goal of expanding the limited
mental- health-care and addiction-treatment insurance coverage currently
available to New Yorkers. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">The legislation is known as Timothy's Law, for
Timothy O'Clair of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Rotterdam</st1:place></st1:City> who took his own life five years ago,
before his 13th birthday. Tom O'Clair, Timothy's father, and other members of
the O'Clair family also participated in the news conference. They explained
their painful loss and the suffering they continue to experience because they
lacked adequate health insurance coverage required to access desperately needed
treatment.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">"Timothy's Law is a top priority for the 2006
legislative year. This bill establishes the rights of those who need
mental-health care or addiction treatment so that these individuals will no
longer be second-class citizens in our health-insurance system," said Assembly
Speaker Sheldon Silver. "Mental-health parity has long been a major issue for
the Assembly. We urge the Senate to recognize the severity of this health-care
crisis and quickly follow our lead and pass this critical piece of legislation
so that it becomes law this year." <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">"Each year health plans continue to cut back on
coverage for mental-health care and addiction treatment," said Tonko
(D-Schenectady/Montgomery counties). "Our parents, children, friends and family
cannot continue to stand by and watch insurance coverage for these treatments
erode from year to year. Most families can't afford to pay out-of-pocket for
expensive care, whether it be outpatient counseling, rehabilitation or inpatient
care."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">"It is time to end insurance discrimination
against mental-health care and addiction treatment in <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State>. Timothy's Law
will accomplish that. We should join the 35 other states that have adopted
parity laws. I am determined to see Timothy's Law enacted in 2006. Under
Assemblyman Tonko's leadership, this bill will pass the Assembly and get us one
step closer to ending the devastation experienced by so many New Yorkers and
their families," said Tom O'Clair, a tireless advocate of the bill.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Tonko, Grannis and Rivera stressed the need to
address this dire health-care situation immediately. Their urgency was confirmed
by several mental-health advocates, who shared their first-hand experiences with
insurance plans that failed to cover much needed mental-health care and
addiction-treatment services.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">"The experience of the state's own Empire Plan
shows that it is possible to offer a comprehensive mental-health benefit without
busting the bank. It is time to end the discrimination against mental illness,"
said Grannis (D-Manhattan), who noted that comprehensive parity laws in other
states have not been accompanied by the often-feared increases in
health-insurance premiums.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">"The need to extend full insurance coverage for
mental-health services is very evident. Most recently, Gov. Pataki has proposed
screening 400,000 <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New
York</st1:place></st1:State> children for mental illness. Without adequate
insurance coverage, such as that provided by Timothy's Law, these screenings are
empty promises of help for thousands of children, adults and families throughout
our state that will not be able to afford health services and treatment," said
Rivera (D-Bronx).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">"My stepson, Chris, died last year after being
denied treatment. He left behind a family who loved him and many hopes and
dreams for the future, such as getting his GED and working in his father's
union. Words can't say how much we miss him. This is discrimination in its most
deadly form," said Kim Spicciatie, who spoke of her family's grief in the wake
of losing a loved one after having difficulties obtaining care for his
mental-health and substance-abuse problems. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">"In addition to being executive director of the
National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York State, I am also a family member
of a loved one who suffers from a mental illness - my wife. Last year, I spent
almost $10,000 out-of-pocket for her medical care. After dealing with my HMO for
many months, I finally was reimbursed about $1,700 in October. That's 17 cents
on the dollar. If she had heart disease or diabetes, almost all of her medical
expenses would have been covered. It just isn't fair. Insurers should be
required to treat illnesses of the brain like illnesses of other parts of the
body," said David Seay, a member of the Timothy's Law Campaign Executive
Committee.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">"My family gave up our house and moved in with my
mother to be able to afford the services that our son John needed. Mental health
care is just that-health care. It is medical treatment that can save the life of
a child. The financial sacrifices our family made were worth it because,
thankfully, John is now doing great. But I do wish we could have afforded to
keep our home and to take a family vacation like other families," said Diane
Lang, a mother from Long Island who told of the challenges she faced in
obtaining treatment for her son. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Summing up for the family members and
mental-health-care consumers, <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Paige
Pierce</st1:PersonName>, executive director of Families Together in New York
State and co-chair of the Timothy's Law Campaign, called for the enactment of
Timothy's Law this year. "How many more tragedies will the families of
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State> have
to endure? Timothy's Law must become law in 2006," she insisted.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Timothy's Law is supported by more than 320 state
organizations united under the Timothy's Law Campaign.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="COLOR: black">In 2004, a version of Timothy’s Law was passed by
the Senate but was never referred to a conference
committee.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></BODY></HTML>