Testimony on
SB No. 4 and 5
Senate Health Policy Committee
May 28, 2003
Submitted by Tom Bissonnette, MS, RN
Good afternoon, my name is Tom Bissonnette. I am a Registered Nurse
with a master's degree in psychiatric/mental health nursing and
a member of the Michigan Nurses Association. I work as a Program
Director for the Michigan Health Professional Recovery Corporation.
I am here today speaking on behalf of the Michigan Nurses Association
in support of Senate Bills 4 and 5 to establish Mental Health parity.
Senator Hammerstrom is to be commended for recognizing that comprehensive
health care for Michigan's residents includes legislative and regulatory
support for coverage of mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Nurses are the largest group of health care providers. We deliver
the most continuous and direct care in virtually every treatment
setting.
As advocates for patients, nurses speak in support of this legislation
to address the inequities in insurance coverage for Michigan citizens
who require mental health or substance abuse treatment. A core value
of the profession of Nursing is that the biological, psychological,
and social sciences are basic components for health. Failure to
recognize any of these components means a less than optimum outcome
for patients, their families, and for Michigan.
Parity for mental illness and substance abuse treatment refers
to insurance companies and employers providing the same benefits
for the treatment of mental illness and substance abuse that apply
to any medical condition, such as asthma, diabetes, or heart failure.
The management of chronic conditions through health provider visits
and through routine medication administration is an equal burden
for Michigan citizens suffering from mental as well as physical
illnesses.
Mental illness and substance abuse affect millions of Americans
of every age, ethnic and racial group, of both genders, and at all
educational and income levels.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in conjunction
with the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences released
its report Healthy People 2010 which details major public health
concerns in the United States. The objectives of this report are
to serve as building blocks for community health initiatives. Goal
# 18 of Healthy People 2010 is to " Improve mental health and
ensure access to appropriate, quality mental health services".
According to this report
" Approximately 20% of the United States population is affected
by mental illness during a given year.
" More than 19 million adults in the U.S. suffer from depression,
the most treatable of any of the mental illnesses.
" Available medications and psychological treatments can help
80% of those with depression.
" Depression is associated with other medical conditions such
as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, anxiety, eating disorders, as
well as with alcohol and drug use.
" The rate of depression in geriatric hospital inpatients is
12%;
" The percentage of older persons with depression living in
nursing homes ranges from 15-25%.
The total estimated direct and indirect cost of mental illness
in the U.S. in 1996 was $150 billion.
The prevalence of substance abuse disorders in the American population
is estimated at 7-15%. The impact on the American workforce is significant
and the importance of treatment may best be reflected in the results
of a study conducted by the Rimrock Foundation. For those employees
of the Oldsmobile plant in Lansing, Michigan who entered substance
abuse treatment there was found to be a:
" 49% Decline in lost work hours;
" 29% Decline in health benefits costs;
" 56% Reduction in absenteeism;
" 82% Decline in number of plant accidents.
To those that oppose parity because of cost...there is data to
indicate
" The cost of untreated mental illness to families, criminal
justice and social welfare services is $4 billion/year
" Lost productivity at work due to mental illness is estimated
at $63.1 billion
" Patient data reported by an HMO indicated patients with clinical
depression or anxiety cost the HMO twice as much in one year as
patients without those illnesses. Providing mental health services
leads to a "cost-offset" effect, which is a decline in
the use of general medical care.
A number of states have already passed some form of mental health
parity laws. (Table attached). We can design a model based on the
experience of others that will meet the needs of all stakeholders
in Michigan.
The Michigan Nurses Association stands ready to assist in your
effort to eliminate the discrimination and stigmatization experienced
by those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse. Providing
legislation that ensures equal insurance coverage for mental health
is a vital strategy in supporting these individuals to be productive,
contributing citizens of Michigan.
REFERENCES
Healthy People 2010 from www.healthypeople.gov
Thomas, N. and Leavitt, J. (2002) Mental Health Parity: A Call
for Nursing Action. Policy, Politics & Nursing Practice. Volume
3 (1) February 2002 43-56. Sage Publications
Results of Employees Entering Treatment, Large Corporations. (2002).
Rimrock Foundation, Billings, Montana.
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