Deirdre and I spoke at a rally for Timothy's Law in the Westchester Country seat of White Plains today. I was asked to MC the event this morning, and threw together some remarks that I'll recreate below. Deirdre edited down the comments she made to a New York State Senate committee in 2003, and was very effective. So were every one of the other speakers who, collectively, not only made the case for why parity legislation is cost effective (and the lack of it discriminatory), but also put a human face on mental illness and chemical dependancy. Even the politicians who spoke stayed on topic, were eloquent, and delivered a powerful message to their colleagues in the state Senate: If you don't pass this legislation, you are denying the will of your constituents — and eventually they will catch up with you.
Several TV stations from Westchester and New York City and WCBS, an all-news radio station, covered the event, which drew a couple of hundred people to the heart of downtown White Plains. The highlight of the noon rally was the appearance of Tom O'Clair. The legislation is named for Tom's son Timothy, who hung himself at age 12 after his family spent years trying to access adequate mental health services for their son.
Today would have been Timothy's 18th birthday.
Here are my remarks:
Timothy's Law would require that mental illnesses and chemical dependency disorders be covered under health insurance policies the same way that other physical illnesses is. The SAME WAY that any other physical illness is.
Timothy's Law passed the Assembly in March. This is the fourth year the Assembly has passed Timothy's Law. The Senate Bill (S 6735-a Duane) has not been allowed to the floor for a vote.
Senate leadership has introduced a so-called parity bill (S 1672-a Libous). This bill has a number of serious limitations that prevent the Timothy's Law Coalition from supporting it. It excludes employers of 50 or fewer, covers only a limited number of conditions, makes it virtually impossible for children to access treatment and doesn't cover chemical dependency.
My grandfather committed suicide.
My grandmother was institutionalized several times in her life for mental illness.
My mother was treated for depression on and off throughout her adult life.
On my father's side, I am at least the fourth generation of alcoholics, mostly recovered.
My wife is also in recovery and is alive today only because of the treatment she received for clinical depression.
My 21-year-old daughter is a recovering heroin addict and, thanks to methadone maintenance, has her life back and is attending college, which is why she can't be here today.
Our story is by no means unique. If fact, I don't think I'm sticking my neck out by claiming that there is not a single family in this state that has not been affected by substance abuse or mental illness.
We've talked to Republican senators, some of them well meaning; others not. They are, frankly, tools of the insurance industry's lobby.
Senators say that the advocates for Timothy's Law need to compromise.
Indeed, the Senate and Assembly must come together this year to pass a strong Timothy's Law BUT if there's one message we need to send to Albany this afternoon, it is this: We will not compromise with our loved one's lives.
And we need to tell those Senators who are not squarely behind Timothy's Law — a bill that includes coverage for small businesses and chemical dependency — that they will need to find new employment following the September elections.
Other speakers were:
Jean Anne Cipolla, a graduate student in health advocacy at Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY, who published an op-ed piece on Timothy's Law in the Journal News last Sunday.
Ellen Morehouse, executive director of Student Assistance Services in Westchester County.
Dally Sanchez, mental health systems advocate with Westchester Independent Living Center.
Charlene and Eva Dech. Charlene has been involved with family support and advocating for her daughter, Eva, since the 1980s. Today, they advocate together.
Bill Ryan, chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, chair of the Assembly Task Force for People with Disabilities.
Assemblyman Adam Bradley.
Assemblyman George Latimer.
George Hockley, member of the White Plains Common Council.
Dr. Ray Griffin, president of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence/Westchester.
If you live in New York State, please educate your neighbors about Timothy's Law, and let your state senator know that an unadulterated Timothy's Law needs to be passed NOW.
Other mentions of Timothy's Law on this site:
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