<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML dir=ltr xmlns:v = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1 =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1106" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY><SPAN><SPAN class=text><SPAN class=862240618-22052006><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">IT’S OFFICIAL – NYS SENATE TO RETURN TO
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">ALBANY</st1:place></st1:City></st1:place></st1:City> THIS FRIDAY TO
TAKE UP TIMOTHY’S LAW!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="COLOR: black">JOIN FELLOW TIMOTHY’S LAW SUPPORTERS IN <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">ALBANY</st1:place></st1:City></st1:place></st1:City> FOR THE
VOTE!</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="COLOR: black">As had been rumored for several weeks, the NYS Senate has
officially announced that it will be returning to <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Albany</st1:place></st1:City></st1:place></st1:City> this Friday,
September 15<SUP>th</SUP>, to address, among other issues, Timothy’s
Law.</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p><FONT color=#000000
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="COLOR: black">Following up on the agreement reached between the Senate
and Assembly at the end of the Regular Legislative Session in June, the Senate
will be considering passage of S.8482.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Specifically, the bill will require employers of all sizes that offer
health insurance to provide at least 30 inpatient days and 20 outpatient visits
of mental health care.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In addition,
such coverage will be accompanied by co-payments that are no longer far in
excess of the co-payments charged for accessing other health services covered by
an insurer.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In order to address the
Senate’s concerns with regard to small businesses, this bill will hold employers
with fewer than 50 employees harmless from any potential cost increases.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For employers with 50 or more employees,
they will be required to provide coverage that eliminates all arbitrary limits
on mental health coverage for a specific list of “biologically based mental
illnesses.” <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This bill, while not
ideal, represents a good first step toward eradicating discrimination in health
insurance for people living with mental health needs.</SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p><FONT color=#000000
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="COLOR: black">The Senate has officially announced that they will resume
“in Session” at 2:30 on Friday.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Timothy’s Law advocates from all over the state are expected to join in
this momentous occasion to watch from the gallery as the Senate debates and
votes on Timothy’s Law.</SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p><FONT color=#000000
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3>Tom
O’Clair invites all Timothy’s Law supporters to join him in Albany, in the
Senate lobby on the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> floor of the NYS Capitol, at 1:30 on Friday
to show support and watch as the NYS Senate takes up (and hopefully passes)
Timothy’s Law!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></B></P>
<H2 style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p><FONT color=#000000> </FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=375000720-13092006> </SPAN></FONT></o:p></SPAN></H2>
<H2 style="MARGIN: auto 0in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=375000720-13092006> </SPAN></FONT></o:p></SPAN></H2>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black">IN THE NEWS:</SPAN></U></STRONG><FONT
color=#000000><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT
color=#000000>Timothy's Law —er, Agreement<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><EM><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">The Journal News</SPAN></EM><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000> Editorial, July 9,
2006<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>By Laurie
Nikolski<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>They won. Sort of. I
think.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>We're well into July, and most state
lawmakers have long since scattered to the winds, or at least dryer climates.
For people with mental illness and emotional disabilities, and their advocates,
the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Albany</st1:place></st1:City> crowd
left behind hope. And bewilderment.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>It was high drama to which only a
few were privy. At the 13th hour of the legislative session late in June, state
legislators came to agreement on probably the top health-rights issue in
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State>:
insurance parity for mental illness. After years of resistance and bowing to
business interests, the GOP-dominate state Senate agreed with the Democratic-led
Assembly that medical coverage and treatment for people with mental disorders
should be on a par with physical ailments. Sort of. I
think.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>News stories, and rumors, had
see-sawed until the bitter end: Compromise, maybe. Nope, dead bill. No, flicker
of hope. Wait — could it be? Compromise bill. Just not in time for real passage.
The session ended, but not to worry, lawmakers assured us: They'll be back later
this year, sure to pass Timothy's Law Light. Outgoing Gov. George Pataki may,
just may, sign it.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Lawmakers' pride ran deep. Advocates
— who had run a stubborn grass-roots campaign to convince them that securing
mental-health coverage was both the practical and moral thing to do — cheered
the deal as major progress. Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, who had stood in
the way for so long, crowed in his official Senate press release: "Mental
illness can result in tragedy if it is not properly treated, however many
families do not have access to the proper treatment. This agreement would
provide parity in coverage and would help people get the treatment they
need.''<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Um. Sort
of.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Thomas O'Clair went home to
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Schenectady</st1:place></st1:City>
exhausted. Timothy's Law is named after his son, a 12-year-old boy who took his
life in 2001. His parents had used up their insurance benefits to try to get him
help, eventually giving up custody of the boy to the state so he could get
better treatment via Medicaid. Even that desperate tactic didn't save his life.
So ever since, Thomas O'Clair has been fighting alongside groups like the 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>
for a parity law. This year, they turned up the heat under state senators, all
of whom are up for re-election this fall.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>What, exactly, was won? After all,
as Gannett News Service reported in the waning days of the session, "Business
groups and insurance companies have mounted strong opposition to Timothy's Law.
The Conference of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans has said passage of the bill
could mean long-term, possibly lifelong, unlimited
treatment.''<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Did those gosh-darn scheming
mentally ill people actually get long-term, unlimited treatment? No. If you can
make heads or tales of the bill that didn't officially pass yet, it seems they
may get out of insurance policies<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>• Hospitalization for mental illness
for up to 30 days a year;<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>• Up to 20 visits annually with a
psychotherapist;<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>• Lower copays for some
treatments.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Not to worry: The powerful business
sector won, too. After all, The Business Council of New York State had warned
legislators on its Web site of dire consequences if Timothy's Law passed as
envisioned. "The Business Council respectfully opposes (its) enactment . . .
because increasing the cost of insurance benefits is not healthy for businesses
or families.''<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>More ominously, the council's
legislative memo concludes with a nudge in lawmakers' ribs: "This legislation
will be included as one of the scoring measurements . . . (in the) Council's
annual assessment of legislators' action on key issues of concern to the state's
business community.''<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>In other words, our business people
vote more than your mentally ill ones. And don't you forget
it.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>So the Senate got clever. The bill —
sorry, make that agreement — calls for the state to cover any extra cost for
businesses in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New
York</st1:place></st1:State> that have 50 or fewer employees. The estimate for
that coverage: around $50 million a year.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Yet the creativity didn't stop
there. For a while lawmakers tossed around the idea of letting insurance
companies decide what types of mental illness was covered. This is like letting
teens decide which chores they would like to do.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Then legislators took the matter in
hand. They — not doctors, not therapists, not researchers — defined what
Timothy's Agreement would cover: "biologically based mental illness,'' Bruno's
office wrote, including "Schizophrenia/physchotic (sic) disorders, Major
Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Delusional Disorders, Panic Disorder, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder, Bulimia, Anorexia and Binge
Eating.''<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Not covered, the press release
failed to point out: treatment for addictions. Elected officials apparently are
sure that binge eating is "biologically based,'' but drug and alcohol addictions
are not? Never mind that the federal government estimates that there are more
than 10 million Americans who have "co-occurring'' mental illness and
substance-abuse disorders. And some of them may live in <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State>. It will be
entertaining to see how treatment providers bill those
patients.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Finally, lest anyone think they went
too far, the legislators built in extra protections The would-be law will sunset
after two years, during which time two state departments, Insurance and Mental
Health, will study the "effectiveness and impact'' of mental-health parity here
and elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">Rest assured, though: State lawmakers did
not cave on one compromise that had floated through the chambers: not covering
children. See, if they had done that, then they would have to rename Timothy's
Law after a grown-up. Or themselves.<I><o:p></o:p></I></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue"><FONT
size=3><FONT color=#000000> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">It's Timothy's
Time</SPAN></STRONG><B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><BR></SPAN></B><st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><EM><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">Syracuse</SPAN></EM></st1:place></st1:City><EM><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black"> Post Standard</SPAN></EM><FONT
color=#000000><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Editorial, August 18, 2006<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Rewind the clock five years. Timothy
O'Clair, a 12-year-old tormented way beyond normal adolescent angst and anxiety,
gets the mental health care he so desperately needs.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>His parents don't have to
frantically search for treatment for the boy - beyond the 20 outpatient visits
allowed by insurance. They don't have to pay co-payments that are higher than
those required for physical illnesses. They don't have to try to pay for his
care when the insurance runs out. They don't have to relinquish custody of
Timothy to the state, in hopes of getting him better medical
treatment.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Timothy gets help, and instead of
hanging himself just a few weeks before his 13th birthday, he enters his teen
years hopeful about his future, eventually graduating with the class of
2006.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>That scenario would only have been
possible if a law had existed ensuring parity between mental health and physical
health coverage. But finally, after a relentless, five-year fight by Tom O'Clair
on behalf of his son's memory, the Legislature and Gov. George Pataki could make
Timothy's Law a reality. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>It was a worthy battle waged by
O'Clair, who visited <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Syracuse</st1:place></st1:City> last week. For too long, as if stuck
in a medieval mindset, the state has sanctioned two sets of standards for
illness - mental and physical. It has allowed insurance companies to dicker over
mental health benefits - restricting or denying coverage - or requiring more
out-of-pocket costs.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Perhaps most ashamedly, the debate
has focused on costs - as if patients who suffered from mental illnesses were
less worthy of coverage than those who had a broken leg. Certainly, health costs
are astronomical all around - and many businesses are feeling the strain. But
the answer isn't to deny much-needed mental health services.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Indeed, the advocacy organization
www.timothyslaw.org argues that the nation already pays nearly $80 billion a
year in costs related to not covering mental illness.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Among the bill's provisions:
coverage for 30 inpatient days and 20 outpatient days; co-payments equal to
those for physical illnesses, and full coverage for children for certain mental
health illnesses, including the disruptive behavior disorders that affected
Timothy. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>The bill isn't perfect. Its
provisions may temper a hostile campaign against the bill by the Business
Council by covering added costs of businesses with 50 or fewer employees. But
legislators have stepped into<BR>a murky area by excluding addictions (including
eating disorders) in the provision. The bill does have a sunset clause that
allows reviewing and revision after three years. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">The Senate is expected to vote on the bill
in September, and the Assembly, which has always supported the law, later in the
year. The bill deserves universal support - on behalf of all the Timothys who
need help, not hassles.<I><o:p></o:p></I></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">A chance for change</SPAN></STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">State Senate has opportunity now to
act</SPAN></STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:place w:st="on"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">Long Island</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">'s <EM>Newsday</EM>
Editorial September 12,
2006</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><FONT
color=#000000> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><FONT
color=#000000> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">State senators are running hard to avoid
being swept away this fall in what some fear will be a Democratic tidal wave.
But the Republican majority can impress voters - after a lackluster spring
session - by not squandering a chance this week to take care of some important
unfinished business.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">GOP senators, including the nine-member
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Long Island</st1:place></st1:place>
delegation, should act on Assembly bills that would improve budget making,
environmental protections, and <U>access to mental health care</U> and
prescription drugs. And they should be careful about approving appointments by
fellow Republican Gov. George Pataki that are aimed at making it harder for a
new, potentially Democratic governor to clean house.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">On budgeting, <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Albany</st1:place></st1:City></st1:place></st1:City> must make the
process less secretive and less controlled by majority leaders. Reforms include
greater disclosure of pork-barrel spending, more use of public conference
committees, a later budget deadline, and an independent office - not one
controlled by the lawmakers - to certify revenue and spending
estimates.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">On health care, legislators are close to
approving the long-sought Timothy's Law, which would require similar insurance
coverage for mental and physical ailments. Currently, people seeking treatment
for depression or substance abuse often have higher premiums and co-pays - if
they can get coverage at all. Fairness aside, businesses in other states have
found that the nominal increase in premiums is more than offset by improvements
in worker productivity.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">To reduce costs for the state and
consumers, the Senate should mandate bulk purchasing of drugs for all public
health programs, as well as the disclosure by physicians of gifts greater than
$75 from drug-company sales representatives. This will save money and strengthen
consumer confidence that doctors are prescribing the best and cheapest
drugs.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">To improve the landscape and water
quality, the Senate can green its record by approving a bottle bill that covers
noncarbonated beverage containers and extending the reach of the state's
wetlands protection to smaller parcels.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">If your senator doesn't do these this
week, ask him why when he asks for your vote.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><FONT
color=#000000> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">New Law Could Help Depression Sufferers
Get Health Care They Need<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">NY1<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN></SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>September 11, 2006<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">Nearly 20 million American suffer from
depression, but for many roadblocks to insurance coverage can make getting the
right treatment virtually impossible. That seems to be the case for some
patients seeking a device that treats patients for a form of depression once
deemed un-treatable. NY1 Health and Fitness reporter Kafi Drexel filed the
following report.</SPAN></I><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">
</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">Thirty-year-old Andrea Taylor has
struggled with treatment-resistant depression for years, something nearly four
million Americans suffer from. So when a new, implantable device that might help
was approved by the FDA just over a year ago, she thought she'd finally found a
solution. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">“I needed something. My choices were
running low, so I needed something to work,” says <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Taylor</st1:place></st1:City></st1:place></st1:City>. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">Taylor who'd been hospitalized and
suicidal, looks at the Vagus Nerve Stimulator, or VNS Therapy as a potential
lifesaver. The battery-powered generator sends signals to the brain to alleviate
depression. But on her first three attempts to get coverage she was denied.
</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">“There's no way I would have been able to
afford it,” says <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Taylor</st1:place></st1:City></st1:place></st1:City>. “Even before it
was approved I was considering going to <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:country-region>, because my best
friend and brother live there and it has been approved in <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region>.
But economically, I mean I have some savings, but I don't have $25,000 to spend
on this.” </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">With the help of the maker of the device,
Cyberonics, Taylor was finally able to win approval from Empire Blue Cross/Blue
Shield based on an external review process. But according to Cyberonics,
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Taylor</st1:place></st1:City></st1:place></st1:City> is only one in a
handful of patients who've been able to get coverage. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">Dr. Sarah Lisanby of the New York State
Psychiatric Institute at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Columbia</st1:PlaceName></st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:PlaceType></st1:place> says she has
waiting lists of patients trying to get VNS Therapy, mostly due to issues with
access to coverage. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">“In my practice, I do have patients who
have exhausted all the conventional therapies and still have treatment resistant
depression,” says Lisanby. “For them we'd like to have access to something
that's now been approved for that condition. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">Part of the problem in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">New York</st1:PlaceName></st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:PlaceType></st1:place>: currently private
insurance companies aren't required to provide coverage from mental health
treatment issues, even with FDA approved treatments like VNS. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">“Anything that they can classify as
experimental or not medically necessary, they do have the power under current
law to deny,” says New York State Insurance Department superintendent Howard
Mills. “This situation has given rise to Timothy's Law, which is legislation the
Senate is expected to pass, and if Governor Pataki signs it, will require that
private insurers will provide mental health coverage on par with all other
health insurance coverage that they provide.” </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">In the meantime, <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Taylor</st1:place></st1:City></st1:place></st1:City> says finally
getting covered has given her something she didn't have before: hope.
</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">“There's the opportunity that this is
something the medicine hasn't been able to do for me, that psychotherapy hasn't
been able to do for me. Right now I just merely exist and I'm hoping to live,”
says <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Taylor</st1:place></st1:City></st1:place></st1:City>.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">– Kafi Drexel</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">Timothy's Law Would Help Prevent Suicide.
Letter to the Editor</SPAN></STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><BR></SPAN><EM><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">Schenectady Daily
Gazette<o:p></o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><EM><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></EM></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>I would like to respond to the
letter July 30 [by Nancy Sheltra and Joanne Cleveland], regarding the death of
their sister by suicide. I was struck by the statement, "She was hopeful about
getting into Ellis Hospital's day program, but the program was held up for her
because her husband's insurance wouldn't cover it."<SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Our state legislators have had the
opportunity to correct such a grave situation from happening With a mental
health parity bill, commonly known as Timothy's Law. Parity means that mental
health services would be treated the same as any other medical services.
Medicaid would have paid for the program.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Here lies the problem: In order to
be Medicaid-eligible, one has to spend down resources to poverty level.
Therefore, without medical insurance coverage, this woman, along with many
others in the middle class, cannot afford such
treatment.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Once again the bill passed the
Assembly this year. The Senate has an opportunity when it returns in the fall to
pass this bill. I encourage people to contact their senators and urge them to
pass Timothy's Law.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Mental health parity will prevent
unnecessary loss of life.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>KAREN GAROFALLOU
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT color=#000000><st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Troy</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>The writer is director of programs
and services at the <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Independent</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Living</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType> of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Hudson</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Valley</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT
color=#000000>Law Would Help Pay Insurance</FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000> <BR><st1:place w:st="on"><EM><SPAN
style="COLOR: black">Auburn</SPAN></EM></st1:place><EM><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"> Citizen</SPAN></EM>, August 8,
2006<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>by Amanda
Derby<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>While we can't celebrate it as a law
yet, Timothy's Law may just become that, after an agreement was reached in
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Albany</st1:City></st1:place> between
the Senate and Assembly in late June. Timothy's Law is a bill that would provide
parity in insurance coverage for mental illnesses. This agreement is expected to
be acted on officially once the Legislature
reconvenes.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>“After four and a half years, it is
gratifying to see the Legislature coming together and recognizing the
difficulties confronting families who need mental health insurance coverage. I
look forward to the day when Timothy's Law is the law, and I urge this bill to
be finalized as soon as possible,” said Thomas O'Clair, Timothy's father after
the agreement was reached.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Timothy's Law was named after
Timothy O'Clair, who hung himself in March of 2001 at the age of 12. His parents
spent nearly five years trying to seek the necessary supports and services for
his emotional disorder without success. The O'Clair's had health insurance
through Thomas O'Clair's job with the New York State Thruway
Authority.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>Their policy only allowed 20
outpatient visits per year for the psychiatrist and psychologist combined.
Initially their physical health and mental health insurance co-payments were $10
per visit; however mental health visits became $35 each after just a few visits.
As the family used up their coverage, they had to begin to pay for all
appointments. Additionally, they found themselves having to pay for his extended
hospitalization stays.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>The Timothy's Law Campaign announced
the agreement. “The agreement requires health insurance policies sold in
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State>
state, not exempt under Federal law, to provide at least 30 inpatient days and
20 outpatient visits for mental health treatment. Perhaps more importantly,
co-payments for accessing such services will be equalized with other co-payments
for physical health needs included in a policy. This will bring to an end the
exorbitant co-payments, often in excess of $50 per visit, commonly required to
access mental health services. Affected insurance plans will have to cover
conditions in a manner comparable to the insurance state employees and state
legislators have access to under the Empire Plan. Small employers of 50 or fewer
employees will be held harmless from any potential premium increases,” the Web
site reported.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>The agreement would also require
insurance companies to fully cover treatment of biologically based mental
illnesses including bipolar disorder, major depression, panic disorder,
obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia, bulimia, schizophrenia/psychotic
disorders, attentiondeficit/ hyperactivity disorders, disruptive behavioral
disorders and pervasive developmental disorders. Small employers would have the
option to purchase this same coverage.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT color=#000000>It should be noted that when
Assembly bill 2312-A went up for a vote in the Assembly this past March, 134
Assembly members voted for it, nine voted against it. Of our Assembly members,
only Assemblyman Gary Finch voted in the affirmative. Both Assemblymen Brian
Kolb and Bob Oaks voted against it.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">This is only an agreement, so
celebration for healthcare parity might be premature. We'll let you know once
the Legislature reconvenes if this agreement becomes official and Timothy's Law
is voted on and then signed by the governor.<SPAN class=375000720-13092006><FONT
size=2> </FONT></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN
class=375000720-13092006> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT
size=2><SPAN
class=375000720-13092006> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT color=#000000> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black">Amanda Derby is the housing advocate for
Options for Independence</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly"></st1:place></st1:place> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#000000></FONT></o:p></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN
class=text><SPAN class=862240618-22052006></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></SPAN></SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FORM></P></BODY></HTML>