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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><EM><FONT size=4><U><STRONG>SAVE THE
DATE:</STRONG></U> JUNE 20TH <U>TIMOTHY'S LAW NIGHT AT 'THE JOE'</U> -
more information at </FONT></EM><A
href="http://www.timothyslaw.org/events.php"><EM><FONT
size=4>http://www.timothyslaw.org/events.php</FONT></EM></A></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><FONT color=#0000ff size=2> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><FONT color=#0000ff size=2> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><EM>Following below is a sampling
of the media coverage resulting from the Timothy's Law events that have taken
place in locations throughout the state.</EM></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006></SPAN><SPAN class=022383215-05062006></SPAN><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006></SPAN><SPAN class=022383215-05062006><FONT
size=2><STRONG><FONT size=3></FONT></STRONG></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><FONT size=2><STRONG><FONT size=3>Timothy's Law
Rally<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Binghamton</st1:place></st1:City> TV <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">News Channel 34</I><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>April 21, 2006</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>If you were in downtown <st1:City w:st="on">Binghamton</st1:City>, you
might have noticed a large group of people walking down Court Street with picket
signs towards the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Office</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Building</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> for a rally
there.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>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. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>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. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>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." </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Timothy's Law is named after 12 year-old Timothy O'Clair of <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Schenectady</st1:place></st1:City> who committed
suicide five years ago after he didn't get the mental care he needed. His father
spoke today. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>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." </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>The rally's purpose was to put pressure on the Senate to also pass
Timothy's Law. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>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. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>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." </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>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. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Another note about the Senate's version, Libous says it's comparable to
what other states have. </FONT></P></FONT></SPAN>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><FONT size=2><FONT size=3></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><FONT size=2> </P></FONT>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#000000>The time
is now to pass Timothy's Law <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
color=#000000><SPAN class=thebyline><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The
Journal News</I></SPAN><SPAN class=thepubdate> <SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>April 30,
2006<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=thebyline><FONT
size=3><FONT color=#000000>By Jean Anne
Cipolla<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=thebyline><o:p><FONT
color=#000000 size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT color=#000000><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">New
York</st1:State></st1:place> state again has the opportunity to bring parity to
health-insurance coverage for mental illness and substance abuse by passing
Timothy's Law. If passed by the Senate, <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State> would join 35 states and the federal
government, which have implemented parity legislation, ending financial
discrimination by their health-insurance plans against people suffering from
mental illness, substance abuse and eating disorders.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Timothy's Law is named for Timothy O'Clair of <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Schenectady</st1:place></st1:City>, who committed
suicide in 2001, seven weeks before his 13th birthday. His parents, Tom and
Donna O'Clair, had private insurance through Tom's job, but it severely limited
coverage for the treatment of Timothy's depression, attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiance disorder. The O'Clairs spent
years trying to get appropriate treatment. Out-of-pocket costs were so expensive
and doctor visits so limited, they were forced to relinquish custody of Timothy
to foster care so that Medicaid would pay for the services the insurance company
would not. In addition to the pain of being separated from their child, the
O'Clairs had to pay child support to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Schenectady</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> while he was not living with them.
This would not have been necessary if their health insurance did not
discriminate against mental illness. Timothy is not with his family today and
the O'Clairs believe that it is because they couldn't get Timothy the help he
needed.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Timothy's Law supporters have been rallying across the
state, bringing attention to the lack of insurance parity. Tom O'Clair will be
joined by Westchester residents who will tell their own stories about how the
lack of coverage has affected their struggles with mental illness and substance
abuse on at noon Friday at <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Renaissance</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Plaza</st1:PlaceType> in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">White Plains</st1:place></st1:City>. The second annual Mental Wellness
& Parity Walk will be held on Saturday, May 13, at <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Rockland</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, sponsored by the Mental Health
Association of Rockland County.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>People ask: Why give more insurance coverage to the
mentally ill and the addicted? Parity is not about asking for more; it's asking
to be treated equally. Patients and their families just want to pay the same
out-of-pocket costs and have the same yearly and lifetime limits on their health
insurance set for heart disease or diabetes.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Opponents say it's too expensive to give equal services.
This argument has been proved wrong. In the Federal Employee Health Benefits
Program, serving 8.5 million enrollees, instituted parity mental-health and
substance-abuse benefits across 350 insurance products. A recent study in the
New England Journal of Medicine found that, if managed care were used, insurance
protection could be improved without increasing total costs.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Another argument is that employers would drop coverage or
self-insure due to costs. Three years after <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Vermont</st1:place></st1:State> implemented its parity law in 1998,
only 0.3 percent of the state's employers dropped coverage, 0.1 percent chose to
self-insure. Employers can live with parity. Out-of-pocket costs fell from 27
percent to 16 percent of total mental-health spending. Compared to spending for
all services, mental health and substance abuse services made up 2.5 percent of
total spending after parity compared to 2.3 percent before parity. As for
treating substance abuse, studies show that, for every $1 invested in treatment,
we can save $12 in reduced drug-related crime, criminal justice costs, and theft
and health-care costs.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>But <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New
York</st1:place></st1:State> still faces a battle. Timothy's Law has only passed
in the Assembly. The Senate has another version of the bill that excludes
employers of 50 people or less, eliminating nearly 1 million New Yorkers from
coverage and continuing a discriminatory system where parity exists for some but
not all. It covers an arbitrary list of 10 "biologically based" mental illnesses
and eating disorders. This attempt to factor in and out different "lesser"
diagnoses doesn't bode well for people who seek treatment before their illness
becomes severe. And it excludes addiction services, an inequity that is
particularly unrealistic because mental health and substance abuse issues
frequently go hand-in-hand.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT color=#000000><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New
York</st1:place></st1:State> needs to pass Timothy's Law and end financial
discrimination in health insurance against those who suffer with mental illness
and addiction issues. The time is now.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=022383215-05062006><FONT size=2> <FONT
size=3></FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=022383215-05062006></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </P></FONT>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><STRONG>Timothy's
Law Rally<o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><STRONG><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">White
Plains</SPAN></I></STRONG></st1:place></st1:City><STRONG><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">
Times</SPAN></I></STRONG> <SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>May 11, 2006<STRONG><o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">By: Lisa
Tarricone</SPAN></STRONG><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></B></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><IMG height=230 hspace=12
src="outbind://63-0000000084FBFDBDB30723419EA061608C097F86E4628D00/cid:719502320@10012006-2C93"
width=290 align=left v:shapes="_x0000_s1026">Charlene Dech had to do what no
mother should ever have to do when her daughter Eva was just 11 years old—she
relinquished custody of her to a state institution so that Medicaid would pay
for the mental health treatment Eva needed which her private insurance refused
to cover. “My insurance allowed only 19 days of lifetime mental health coverage;
I had to give up custody [of Eva] to receive services and then face years of
court battles to get her back,” Dech told over 150 supporters and elected
officials last Friday at a rally for mental health parity legislation that took
place at Renaissance Plaza.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Dech was one of several speakers who came together at the rally to tell
how their lives have been impacted by mental illness and chemical dependency and
by the current discriminatory insurance practices in New York State that
severely limit their access to treatment for these conditions. The speakers,
along with several elected officials, called for the passage of Timothy’s Law,
which would bring parity to insurance coverage for mental disorders and chemical
dependency.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Timothy’s Law is named after Timothy O’Clair, who took his own life in
March 2001 at the age of 12 after suffering from severe depression and other
<IMG height=193 hspace=12
src="outbind://63-0000000084FBFDBDB30723419EA061608C097F86E4628D00/cid:719502320@10012006-2C9A"
width=290 align=left v:shapes="_x0000_s1027">emotional disorders. After years of
expensive out-of-pocket costs, his parents were forced to relinquish custody of
him to foster care so that Medicaid could pay for the treatment he needed, which
they could no longer afford and which his father’s private insurance denied. <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></B></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Jean Anne Cipolla, a graduate student at <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Sarah</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Lawrence</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, suffers from depression and
anxiety and spoke of the “economic and political realities” of the parity law.
“People ask, why give more insurance coverage to the mentally ill and the
addicted, but parity is not about asking for more. It’s asking to be treated
equally under the law,” Cipolla said. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Thom Forbes, one of the speakers who is a “fourth generation” alcoholic
in recovery and whose wife and daughter suffer from depression and chemical
dependency, urged support for Timothy’s law so that mental illness and addiction
disorders “be covered under health insurance policies in the same way that other
physical illness” such as heart disease or diabetes is.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><IMG height=193 hspace=12
src="outbind://63-0000000084FBFDBDB30723419EA061608C097F86E4628D00/cid:719502320@10012006-2CA1"
width=290 align=left v:shapes="_x0000_s1028">“According to the National
Institute of Mental Health, one in five children have behavioral, emotional or
mental health problems,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. “Families should not be
forced to exhaust their financial resources to access mental health services
they can afford,” she told rally supporters.<B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></B></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Deirdre Forbes (Thom’s wife) credited her recovery from clinical
depression and addiction as “proof” that treatment works and urged Senate
leadership to pass legislation that includes coverage for small businesses and
chemical dependency. “Compromise is not a solution; it is a death sentence for
many,” she said, referring to the state Senate’s parity bill that eliminates
coverage for addiction and eating disorders.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Assemblyman Adam Bradley said, “Its time for New York to join the other
35 states who have <BR>parity laws,” and pointed to the lobbying influence
of HMOs and healthcare companies with record breaking profits in
perpetuating the cost argument against mental health parity
legislation.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Tom O’Clair, Timothy’s father, also spoke out at the <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">White Plains</st1:place></st1:City> rally and has
been the commanding force in driving Timothy’s Law legislation. He and his
family have campaigned <BR>across the state since their son’s death to bring
attention to the financial discrimination in health insurance coverage that has
forced over 12,000 families in 2003 alone, to formally relinquish custody
of their children in order to secure them state-paid mental health
services. “The lack of parity cost my family Timothy. Tell me to my face
that you can put a price on that.”<B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></B></FONT></P></FONT></SPAN>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><FONT
size=3></FONT></SPAN> </P><SPAN class=022383215-05062006><FONT size=2>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=022383215-05062006></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006></SPAN></FONT> </P></FONT><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT size=3>Honoring His
Dead Son In Legal Fight<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><st1:place
w:st="on"><STRONG><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Queens</SPAN></I></STRONG></st1:place><STRONG><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">
Tribune</SPAN></I></STRONG><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>May 18, 2006</SPAN></STRONG><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></B></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>By Michael
Rehak</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>For Tom O’Clair, publicly sharing one of the most tragic stories a parent
could ever tell has become almost routine. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>O’Clair’s burly frame doesn’t budge when he takes the podium. He doesn’t
weep. He rarely pauses between words and has probably told the same story many
times in countless rooms across the state in front of multitudes of strangers.
</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>On an easel next to O’Clair stand two enlarged photos. One shows a young
boy smiling toward the camera sitting on a bicycle. Above it rests a picture of
Timothy Michael O’Clair’s tombstone. It reads that he was 12 years old.
</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>As the boy’s father spoke recently at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Zucker</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Hillside</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Hospital</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> in New Hyde Park, it marked what
would have been Timothy’s 18th birthday. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Timothy’s teachers identified his mental illness when he was 8 years old.
He received treatment early on and for nine months, his parents gave up custody
of the youngest of three sons after Timothy’s first suicide attempt failed on a
tree outside the family’s home. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>On a branch that could be seen from the O’Clair’s kitchen, Timothy
climbed as he often did in the past, but this time he had a rope and a much
different purpose than to explore from above. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>It was Timothy’s mother who climbed the tree that day to save her son,
but soon after, she wouldn’t be that lucky. <BR>After being placed in foster
care to deal with his illness, Timothy came home on his mother’s birthday. His
parents thought he would be cured. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>“For the first three weeks, he was a little boy we haven’t seen in
years,” said O’Clair. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Then, depression, anger and a refusal to take his prescribed medication
again haunted the O’Clair family. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>“Timothy reached a level, a threshold, that he had come to so many times
before and decided not to cross,” said O’Clair. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>On March 16, 2001, just six weeks after coming home, Timothy was
discovered by his mother hanged in his bedroom closet. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>“It was that day that I will remember stronger than any other day in my
life,” said O’Clair. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>According to O’Clair, that day may not have ever occurred had his
insurance provider covered the costs of mental health treatment. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>As a New York State Thruway Authority mechanic, O’Clair’s policy covered
20 therapy visits per year. Timothy needed more. With rising co-pays and used-up
coverage, eventually, Timothy’s medical treatment became just too much for the
O’Clair family to handle. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>If the boy’s father had been a state elected official, the treatment
costs would have been covered. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>In March, Timothy’s Law passed for the fourth consecutive time in the
State Assembly. It requires that mental illnesses and chemical dependency
disorders are covered under health insurance policies the same as other physical
illnesses. A parity bill in the State Senate has been introduced, but lobby
groups like the Timothy’s Law Coalition, are not in favor of it because it
excludes business that employ of 50 or fewer people. Members said it also does
not deal with chemical dependency. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>According to the Timothy’s Law Coalition, medical professionals should
determine how often patients need to be treated, not the insurance provider. So
far 35 states have agreed and have passed similar legislation. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>A recent Pricewaterhouse Coopers study estimated that the passage of
Timothy’s Law would only increase premiums by $1.26 per insured person per
month. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>According to the Surgeon General, 21 percent of children aged 9 to 17
have a mental or addictive disorder. Suicide is currently the third leading
cause of death for New Yorkers aged 15 to 24. Some 1,300 residents take their
lives every year. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3>Despite the statistics, none could ever give O’Clair his son’s life back.
Shortly after speaking at Zucker Hillside, O’Clair gathered his belongings and
headed to a <st1:place w:st="on">Long Island</st1:place> fund-raiser to retell
the experience again on his son’s birthday.</FONT><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><FONT color=#0000ff size=2> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006> </SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><SPAN class=022383215-05062006><SPAN class=022383215-05062006><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=022383215-05062006><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN> </SPAN><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></B></FONT></P></FONT></SPAN>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><FONT size=2> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#000000>Time for
parity for mentally ill - <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Senate should
act, as Assembly has</I><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
color=#000000><st1:place w:st="on">Long Island</st1:place> <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Newsday</I> Editorial<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>May 19, 2006</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Does anybody really doubt that mental illness is real? That
bipolar disorders, depression and simply chronic anxiety can threaten the
livelihood and even the lives of those afflicted? That, if untreated, these
illnesses can destroy families and can drain businesses?</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Doubters are captives of old and uninformed biases. The
same for those who don't believe that mental illnesses can be treated. But false
assumptions and fallacies like those have kept the New York State Senate from
approving an effective bill to improve access to mental health care.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>It's called Timothy's Law, after a boy who hanged himself
after his parents couldn't get him care. Timothy O'Clair's mother and father
believe, with much reason, that the cap on their mental health coverage limited
what they could do to save their son. They were forced to put him in foster care
so he could qualify - too late - for state-paid services.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>At the heart of the problem is a lack of "parity" for
mental health care. Unlike 35 other states, <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State> allows insurers to limit coverage and
charge higher co-pays to treat mental disabilities and substance abuse problems.
These restrictions don't apply to most medical care.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>There's every reason not to cover mental illness
differently than heart disease or cancer. The cost to the nation of untreated
disorders has been estimated at more than $40 billion. Despite concerns of
opponents, including some businesses, studies show that parity would boost
insurance premiums about $15 a year. That's well worth it, for
everyone.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT color=#000000>The Assembly has passed a parity bill four times. The
Senate Republican leadership has balked, choosing to support a version of a
parity bill that excludes too many disorders. It's time for the Senate majority
to pass the real deal.<FONT size=2><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=storyhead><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006><FONT size=2> <FONT
size=3></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=storyhead><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=storyhead><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006></SPAN></SPAN> </P></FONT>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=storyhead><STRONG>Senate must act on mental
health<o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><SPAN class=storyhead><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Poughkeepsie</I></SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN
class=storyhead><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> Journal</I>
Editorial<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN class=date>May 30, 2006<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=date><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">Mental health
care is disparate throughout <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New
York</st1:place></st1:State>, and state Senate action is needed to fix the
problem. Currently, coverage of mental illnesses can be limited, regardless of
needs and diagnosis.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">For the past
four years, the Assembly has approved Timothy's Law, a bill that insists mental
illnesses be treated the same way as any other physical illness. The law is
named for 12-year-old Timothy O'Clair of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Schenectady</st1:place></st1:City>, who hanged himself after four
years of a heart-wrenching search for care for mental illnesses. Insurance
limitations led to lapse in care, efforts to pay privately couldn't be
sustained.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">At one point,
his distressed parents made him a ward of the state in order for him to receive
the attention his illness demanded. It's an act of desperation, yet 3,500 other
families have also named their children wards of the state.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">The Senate
has not actively supported the full parity issue even though it affects not only
those who need mental-health services, but almost all of society. People
suffering from mental illnesses who do not receive treatment are more apt to
become drug addicts or criminals than those without these challenges.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><U>Quick action
needed<o:p></o:p></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">Last year, at
the end of the session, the Senate passed a compromise bill, allowing companies
with 50 or fewer employees to opt out of the parity coverage. The action so late
in the session essentially ensured there was not time enough to deal with the
significant differences between the houses in a conference committee.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">History
should not be repeated this year. Senate supporters insist the exemption for
small businesses is needed, while advocates in the Assembly believe all
residents deserve to have access to fair mental-health coverage, regardless of
the size of the company they work for.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">Swift passage
of this bill in the Senate would at least allow the two versions to go to a
conference committee where, hopefully, a compromise could be reached.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">Mandates are
rarely good for businesses, but ignoring New Yorkers who struggle with mental
illness is not a solution. A study by PricewaterhouseCoopers says parity, or
having insurance coverage that treats mental illnesses the same as physical
illnesses, will cost an additional 1.6 percent, or $15 a year, per person.
Insurance industry experts say it could increase premiums 3.5 percent, although
25 other states with full parity, and 10 additional states that exempt small
companies from the mandate, have discovered no discernible impact on
business.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">The two
houses disagree on what should be included in the bill, but the only way to
resolve the differences is for the Senate to act now and let the conference
committee work on the differences. New Yorkers deserve to have their mental
illnesses treated with the same concern as other illnesses.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><FONT
size=3></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=022383215-05062006></SPAN> </P></FONT>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Father Turns Grief to To
Action<o:p></o:p></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Watertown</I></st1:place></st1:City><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> Daily Times</I><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>June 1, 2006</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">By Norih Machia</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Timothy O’Clair’s family struggled for five years to get the proper
treatemtne for his depression, yet they were continually faced with mental
health coverage limits on their insurance policy.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Although his parents, Thomas P. and Donna S. O’Clair of <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Schenectady</st1:City></st1:place>, spent most of
their money on care for their son, they were eventually forced to give up
custody of Timothy to the state temporarily so his treatment would be covered by
the Medicaid system.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>By that time, they had already “lost” several years when Timothy should
have been receiving full treatment for his depression, his father said.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>In March 2001, Timothy hanged himself in his bedroom closet.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He was just weeks away from his
13<SUP>th</SUP> birthday.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Mr. O’Clair spoke about his son’s tragic death at a rally Wednesday
morning in front of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Watertown</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Municipal</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Building</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> that was held to raise awareness
of mental health issues.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>“Timothy would have been graduating from high school next month,” said
Mr. O’Clair, who displayed large color photographs of his son on a bicycle and
the engraving on his tombstone.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>“His mental health issues led him to take his own life.”</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Mr. O’Clair is traveling throughout the state to generage support for
proposed legislation named after his son.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Timothy’s Law, which the Assembly approved in March 2004, would require
health insurance companies to provide mental health and substance abuse coverage
that is equal to what they provide for medical care.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>The proposed law, however, has not yet been brought for a vote in the
Senate.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>“We have to remain hopeful that it will get approved,” Mr. O’Clair
said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“It’s difficult when it fails
to get voted on by the Senate.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It’s
like losing him all over again.”</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Timothy’s Law “would allow people with mental health issues to get the
care they deserve,” he said.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Insurance companies are not obliged under <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">New York</st1:State></st1:place> state law to provide the same
coverage for mental health treatment as for physical care.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>For example, a policy could cover 80 percent of the cost for treatment of
a sore throat, but could cover only 50 percent for a mental health visit.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>“All we want is a level playing field for mental health disabilities,
which are very treatable,” Mr. O’Clair said.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“It’s a basic human right.”</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>It’s also a right that is recognized by 35 other states, which have laws
that require equal insurance coverage for physical and mental health treatment,
said Michael Seereiter, director of public policy, Mental Health Association in
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New York</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Albany</st1:City></st1:place>.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>“There are nine million federal employees and retirees who also have
equal coverage,” said Mr. Seereiter, who attended the rally.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Those who support the law, including the National Association of Social
Workers, claim passage of the bill in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">New York</st1:State></st1:place> would result in insurance rates
increasing only $1.26 per month per person to provide parity for mental health
and substance abuse coverage.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>The bill is being opposed by some businesses and insurance companies,
however, which have claimed the law would drive rates much higher.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>But Mr. Seereiter said that the parity in coverage would result in a cost
savings for businesses in the long run, because if people could get the needed
treatment, there would be better productivity and fewer sick days at the
workplace.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>The event, which also included a walk to <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Thompson</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> following the rally, was organized by
a group of north country mental health advocates and clients.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>The organizers hoped to raise awareness of mental health issues and the
services available in the community to help people, said Jennifer Hodge,
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Samaritan</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Medical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> community education
manager.</P></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN><SPAN
class=text><SPAN class=862240618-22052006><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><FONT
size=3></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN><SPAN
class=text><SPAN class=862240618-22052006></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN><SPAN
class=text><SPAN class=862240618-22052006><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </P></FONT><SPAN><SPAN class=text><SPAN
class=862240618-22052006><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#000000>Rally for
mental health care - Supporters of Timothy's Law gather in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Congress</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> in effort to sway state Senate
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
color=#000000><st1:City w:st="on">Albany</st1:City> <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Times <st1:place
w:st="on">Union</st1:place></I><SPAN class=txdateline> <SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>June 3, 2006</SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000 size=3>By
Kenneth C. Crowe II</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT color=#000000><st1:City w:st="on">SARATOGA SPRINGS</st1:City> --
The drive to encourage the state Senate to pass Timothy's Law came to Senate
Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno's district Friday as 100 supporters rallied in
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Congress</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Chanting in support of a law that requires treatment for
mental illness and addictions to be covered by insurance companies, the
campaign's backers were attempting to raise public awareness.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>"Had there been mental health parity 16 years ago, Timothy
and so many others would be with us today," said Tom O'Clair of <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rotterdam</st1:place></st1:City>. The proposed
law is named after O'Clair's son, Timothy, who was 12 when he committed suicide
by hanging himself. Timothy took his life after battling depression and other
aspects of mental illness for five years.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>After the rally, O'Clair said Timothy should have been
attending his senior prom at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Mohonasen</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">High
School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> on Friday.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>The law, if approved, would require <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State> state, where
such coverage is limited, to provide financial relief for the families that
cannot afford treatment. The bill would put the state at the same level of
coverage as 35 other states.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>The state Assembly has passed the bill four years in a row,
including this March. It's never made it to a vote in the Senate.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>An alternative bill has been supported by the Republican
majority in the Senate. Timothy's Law is backed by the Democratic
minority.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>"We believe the mental health parity bill addresses all
concerns. It's based upon biological information from mental health experts,"
Kris Thompson, a spokesman for Bruno, said regarding the majority's
bill.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>J. David Seay, executive director of the National Alliance
on Mental Illness -- <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New
York</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,
described his family's efforts in paying the bills for his wife Anita's
treatment.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>His family received just $1,700 from its insurance company
to pay bills that totaled $10,000, Seay said.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>The campaign has held rallies at <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Jones</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Beach</st1:PlaceType>
on Long Island, <st1:City w:st="on">White Plains</st1:City>, <st1:City
w:st="on">Binghamton</st1:City>, <st1:City w:st="on">Utica</st1:City>, <st1:City
w:st="on">Watertown</st1:City> and <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Hudson</st1:place></st1:City>. Organizers plan to hold rallies in
<st1:City w:st="on">Syracuse</st1:City> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Buffalo</st1:City></st1:place>. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT size=3><FONT
size=2></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN
class=text><SPAN class=862240618-22052006><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </P></FONT><SPAN><SPAN class=text><SPAN
class=862240618-22052006><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#000000>Timothy’s
Law rally draws people to Congress Park<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
color=#000000><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Saratogian</I><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>June 3, 2006</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000 size=3>By
Paul Post</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT color=#000000><st1:City w:st="on"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">SARATOGA SPRINGS</SPAN></st1:City><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> -- Tom O'Clair planned on attending
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Mohonasen</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">High School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>'s senior prom
Friday night, although his son, Timothy, wouldn't be there.
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Timothy committed suicide four years ago at age 12 because
he couldn't get adequate mental health services, his family says.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>More than 50 people, from <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Essex</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType>
to <st1:City w:st="on">Albany</st1:City>, rallied at <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Congress</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> on Friday to support a bill called
Timothy's Law that would require insurance companies to provide equal coverage
for physical and mental health problems.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>'Mental health parity has run off the walls of the state
capitol for the past 16 years,' said Tom O'Clair, of <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rotterdam</st1:place></st1:City>. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>At present, insurers are only required to provide coverage
for 30 days of hospitalization or 20 outpatient visits for mental health cases.
Timothy's Law would correct such apparent inequities. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>The state Assembly has passed the measure, but it's been
blocked in the Senate, where Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, has said
the law would be too costly for small businesses that couldn't afford higher
premiums. In 2004, the Senate passed its own mental health parity bill, and last
year, negotiations went down to the wire, but a compromise wasn't reached before
the session ended. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>The Senate bill has three major differences from Timothy's
Law, which is sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam:</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000 size=3>-
Businesses with less than 50 employees would be excluded.<BR>- Coverage would
not be extended to people with alcohol and drug dependency.<BR>- Only
biologically based mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar
and delusional disorders, paranoia and eating disorders such as bulimia,
anorexia and binge eating are covered.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>'That excludes millions of New Yorkers,' said Michael
Seereiter of the nonprofit Mental Health Association in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New York</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Rallying in the heart of Bruno's district, people carried
posters and shouted chants they hoped would reach the senator's Broadway office.
Backers carried signs with messages such as, 'If Timothy were a senator's son,
S.6735-A would have passed,' 'Insure the Future' and '35 other states have
parity, why doesn't <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New
York</st1:place></st1:State>?'</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>The state Legislature's session ends on June 22, allowing
just three weeks for the bill to pass. On June 20, Timothy's Law backers plan to
rally during a baseball game at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Troy</st1:place></st1:City>. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>O'Clair said he'll keep fighting for as long as it
takes.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>'I'll be back until the New York Senate majority realizes
that mental health parity is something we need and passes Timothy's Law,' he
said.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>David Seay, head of the National Alliance for Mental
Illness, said he paid $10,000 out-of-pocket last year for his wife's mental
health treatment. After nine months of haggling, his insurance plan paid him
$1,700.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>'That's 17 cents on the dollar,' he said. 'God forbid if
she had cancer, heart disease or diabetes. But that would have been paid in
full. That's not right and it's not fair.'</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>O'Clair said Timothy had multiple diagnoses, including
defiance disorder, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. When
their personal insurance coverage expired, the O'Clairs had to give up legal
custody of their son so that he could become Medicaid eligible and receive
treatment through <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Schenectady</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>'s Department of Social
Services.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Timothy spent nine months in foster care, followed by seven
months in a children's home that had a round-the-clock support
network.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>'Timothy looked like he was at a level where he could come
back home,' Tom O'Clair said.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Six weeks after returning home, Timothy committed suicide
on March 16, 2001.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>With proper funding, thousands like Timothy would get the
24-hour care they need to avoid such tragic fates, O'Clair said.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>'They're being cheated out of what is a human right, the
right to not suffer,' he said. 'To pass a lesser bill means that some people are
still going to be left out in the cold.'</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>The O'Clairs have established two memorial scholarships to
honor Timothy, who would have graduated from high school this year, one of many
milestones they'll never enjoy.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>'Throughout the rest of my life, there's going to be times
when there's a tug at the heartstrings,' O'Clair said. 'Graduating from college,
wedding day. The list goes on and on.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN><SPAN
class=text><SPAN class=862240618-22052006><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN><SPAN
class=text><SPAN class=862240618-22052006><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN><SPAN
class=text><SPAN class=862240618-22052006><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN><SPAN
class=text><SPAN class=862240618-22052006><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT> </P>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN><SPAN class=631571017-24032006><SPAN
class=454481620-02052006><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT size=2><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=140590418-10042006><FONT size=4><SPAN
class=862240618-22052006><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=2></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN><SPAN class=631571017-24032006><SPAN
class=454481620-02052006><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT size=2><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=140590418-10042006><FONT size=4><STRONG><U>HAVE
A FRIEND WHO YOU THINK MIGHT WANT TO JOIN TIMOTHY'S
TEAM?</U></STRONG></FONT> </SPAN><SPAN
class=140590418-10042006> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<P>
<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></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FORM></P></SPAN></SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>