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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN><SPAN class=text><SPAN
class=862240618-22052006><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=100202622-15092006><FONT size=2><FONT color=#000000><o:p><o:p><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; COLOR: black">TOM O’CLAIR INVITES TIMOTHY’S LAW
SUPPORTERS TO JOIN HIM IN ALBANY ON DECEMBER 13<SUP>TH</SUP> FOR EXPECTED
PASSAGE OF TIMOTHY’S LAW IN NYS ASSEMBLY:</SPAN></U></B><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As Timothy’s
Law advocates had been hoping, it appears that the NYS Assembly will indeed take
up the agreed upon version of Timothy’s Law when it returns to Albany for a
“Special Session” called by Governor Pataki on December 13<SUP>th</SUP>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Obviously very excited about this
development, Tom O’Clair (Timothy’s father) is planning to be at the Capitol
that day.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As previous versions of
Timothy’s Law have passed the Assembly by wide margins in the past, this version
is also expected to pass as well, paving the way for the bill to be delivered to
Governor Pataki for his consideration by the end of the year before he leaves
office.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">In addition to joining Tom at the Capitol on December
13<SUP>th</SUP>, <SPAN class=626550621-08122006><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2><FONT color=#000000 size=3>everyone is </FONT></FONT></SPAN>urge<SPAN
class=626550621-08122006>d </SPAN>to contact Governor Pataki to urge his
approval of Timothy’s Law when it arrives at his desk.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">You can contact the Governor by:<BR><STRONG>Calling:
</STRONG>(518) 474-1041. Leave a message asking the Governor to sign Timothy’s
Law. <BR><STRONG>Writing:</STRONG> <BR><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Governor</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">George</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">E.</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Pataki</st1:PlaceName><BR><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> Capitol<BR><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Albany</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">NY</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode
w:st="on">12224</st1:PostalCode></st1:place> <BR><STRONG>E</STRONG><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><STRONG><FONT color=#000000
size=3>-</FONT></STRONG></FONT></SPAN><STRONG>mailing: </STRONG>Go to </FONT><A
href="http://161.11.121.121/govemail"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">http://161.11.121.121/govemail</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT
face="Times New Roman">.<FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT><FONT size=5><STRONG><U><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006>IN THE
NEWS:</SPAN></U></STRONG></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT><FONT size=5><STRONG><U><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006></SPAN></U></STRONG></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><FONT><FONT><FONT size=5><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006></SPAN><o:p>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><STRONG><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Pass this into law <BR>State Assembly needs to follow
lead of Senate and approve Timothy's Law. <o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Elmira</st1:place></st1:City> <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Star-Gazette</I> Editorial<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>November 17, 2006</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>Old prejudices die hard.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>So it is with the compromise version of Timothy's
Law that passed through a special session of the New York State Senate early
this year. The Assembly has not yet considered the measure, but there's time --
and no good reason not to act.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>For those who have lost track of the many
legislative initiatives named after victims, this law is named after 12-year-old
Timothy O'Clair, a Schenectady boy who committed suicide after his parents
fought for years to get him adequate mental health care. The family's insurance
coverage was limited, and the last-minute desperate attempt to get Timothy care
by relinquishing custody to the state proved too late.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>No family -- no one -- should find themselves in
such a position or have to make such a choice.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>But years of negative stereotypes about mental
illness still cling to us, and insurance companies less than eager to weaken
profits have been reluctant to alter that norm. If a person is diagnosed with a
heart ailment rooted in a physical imperfection in that organ, treatment is
generally undertaken and continues until full recovery or a long-term
maintenance plan is set. Insurance companies follow all the way
along.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>If someone is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, an
ailment rooted in a physical imperfection in the brain, treatment is too often
refused or limited, regardless of the health impact of that policy. Old notions
that mental health issues are a defect in character, rather than a flaw in brain
function, have long buried that health care disparity under a cloak of
shame.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>With its passage of Timothy's Law, the Senate
tried to help change that. The law sets minimum outpatient and inpatient visit
insurance standards for everyone. In addition to assisting small businesses in
meeting any potential added costs, it broadens the scope of coverage large
employers must provide to adults and at-risk children -- including health issues
such as major depression and panic disorders, illnesses long dismissed as an
indulgence to the weak willed.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>It is far from a perfect package. Too little is
done to address addictive disorders such as alcoholism and substance abuse --
diseases with deep physical roots also long dismissed as indulgences of the weak
willed.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>An earlier Assembly-backed version of the bill
included this coverage, but this compromise version does not</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>This Timothy's Law is an important first step, and
the Assembly should return before year's end to add its approval. A spokesman
for Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, said Wednesday the speaker has no plans to call
a special session. We strongly urge the speaker to change his mind.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>Assemblyman James G. Bacalles, R-Corning, agrees
with us.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>"I can't believe that leadership in the Assembly
would let this slide by without a vote," Bacalles said Wednesday. "My guess is
that we will be going back before the end of the year. I'd be surprised if we
didn't."</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>Without Assembly approval this year, the measure
would die. Don't let that happen without a vote, Mr. Silver.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">Breaking down this barrier is essential and
long overdue.<FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT> </P><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT
size=3>Pass mental health parity legislation <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black">Watertown</SPAN></I></st1:place></st1:City><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> Daily Times
</SPAN></I><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Letter to the Editor<I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN></I>November 06, 2006<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Since I wrote about Timothy's Law, there have been some
serious negotiations between the Timothy's Law Coalition and state Assembly and
Senate leaders regarding the mental health parity law that is named in honor of
Timothy O'Clair.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>As a result of those negotiations, the Senate finally
passed the bill unanimously. Now due to changes in Timothy's Law, we wait for
the Assembly to reconvene and once again pass the mental health parity bill that
will free those people with mental health issues from the discriminatory
shackles that certain employer health insurance companies have them chained to
by not giving them access to the full health care that they need.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>After the Assembly has passed Timothy's Law, it will go to
Gov. George Pataki to be signed and he has said that he might not sign it.
Timothy's Law has to be signed by the governor by Jan. 1. If he does not sign
it, we will have to start all over from scratch. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>Though most of the original law is still intact, the part
about alcohol and substance abuse had to be eliminated. Let's hope it can be
added in the future. Right now, it is imperative to get Gov. Pataki to sign
Timothy's Law this year thereby putting an end to the discriminatory practices
of the health insurance companies that result in the untimely deaths of so many
of our peers and consumers. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
color=#000000 size=3>So let's get cracking, folks. Are we going to let the
discrimination continue? Are we going to sit on our posteriors and do nothing
while there are children, like Timothy O'Clair, taking their own lives? Or are
we going to sit right down and write the governor a letter urging him to sign
the mental health parity bill? I hope and pray that the answer to the last
question is a resounding yes, yes and once again yes. </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"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#000000><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">June C. Gundersen</SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
color=#000000><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"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></FONT></FONT></P></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=626550621-08122006></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT></o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </P></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><SPAN
class=100202622-15092006></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>