So I read today that people between the ages of 10-29 comprise the highest percentage of people without health insurance in this country. This group is also (basically) the same age range of people at the highest risk of developping mental disorders AND statistically the group who seeks help for mental disorders the least. We've always blamed stigma for this, but maybe they don't seek help BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO. Isn't that enough to make you sick? We have an election coming up people!!! And we in the mental health movement must insert ourselves into the discussion about health care--because of course it's a tragedy that so many people are uninsured--but it's even worse that many forms of mental health treatment are not adequately covered by health insurance. This is worth fighting for! Barriers to treatment costs people their lives, drain families, and weaken communities. Our leaders need to be reminded that the brain is a body part and when it's broken it needs the same level of coverage we give to the all important arm, or knee, or lung. Among candidates, who is saying what on this issue??!? Please report in....
4 comments:
I completely agree. We need a plan. Class action suit maybe?
Oh, Our wonderful politicians, how hard it seems they work to forget about Mental disorders and the people who have them.
Although I recently got to speak with Patrick Kennedy who is trying tirelessly to pass the Mental Health Parity Bill. I hope and pray that one day very soon, Mental Heatlh Coverage is looked at a fraction more like general health.Why don't people get it through their thick skulls that the brain is the single most powerful organ in the body, and when as you described it becomes "broken" it also needs a fixin' and it is just like the person who gets treated wih lung disease, heart disease, only you cannot get a new brain.So heres to Hopin' and prayin, and workin' for change!
hallelueah!
Yes, it is very troubling. I think there is a diconnect in our society between the idea that we want people to be healthy in theory and the realization that that would take resources and action. Even the most progressive candidates don't really talk about public healthcare. The idea of subsidizing healthcare (which we do now in the most expensive way possible because people use emergency rooms instead of doctor's offices) makes people think of communism. And then the debate is over before it has begun.
I often think about the fact that my dog has better healthcare than most poor kids in the US...
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