Being an advocate for the mentally ill and disabled it truly upsets me that the government (and a big chunk of Florida) no longer cares about the mentally ill. In the last five years or so there have been so many changes in laws that those that need help are on the streets, in shelters or prisons. Many mental health facilities have been closed and for those who can’t afford rehabilitation or medication are put into situations where the problem has a band aide place on a colossal oozing , rotting sore and then thrown back out to the wolves of society. Mental illness is one of the most significant problems that our society has.

We have our soldiers living in the streets from wars gone past, and families living in cars, and abuse is at an all time high in this country.

Understandably, we need health care. Many patients who have devastating illnesses also suffer from depression. Children are just being medicated without dealing with the emotions of what is going on or how to cope in this technical word. Therapists (and social workers) are overworked and certainly underpaid. The people in our country feel confused if a situation occurs such as Columbine or Virginia Technical College. Our children and many adults are in dire need of help.

A year ago the state of Florida changed laws so some of the most vulnerable in our society lost their health insurance due to the Medicaid/Medicare changes and many were at a loss as to what to do or where to go. Clients who went to their therapists were dismissed immediately without warning. A year later there are still problems with insurance companies not wanting to cover mental illness or specific medications.

Many of you may feel that this problem does not effect your lives, but it affects all of us and it is getting worse. Mental illness can affect our parents, children, friends, relatives, and the person living right next door to you. There is help and it is hard to get, yet when a person is severely depressed it is hard for them to reach out or have doors slammed in their faces.

I wrote a letter of my concerns to Senator Bill Nelson. Here was his answer. Americans need health insurance for all. Mental health needs to be covered as well because it is a disease. Below is Senator Nelson’s letter. He is deeply respected and I hope more people can become involved.

Dear :

Thank you for contacting me regarding parity in insurance coverage for mental health patients. I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.

Today, about 26 percent of American adults, or nearly 58 million Americans suffer from mental disorders. Under most health insurance plans, however, mental health services are not given the same level of coverage as medical and surgical services.

That's why I'm a cosponsor of the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 (S. 55 . This bipartisan bill would require health insurance plans that offer mental health coverage to provide the same benefits and fees for mental health services that are given for other medical illnesses. This bill has been reported out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and now awaits action on the Senate floor.

This type of legislation is a step towards the equitable treatment of mental illness, and I will work for its passage. Please don't hesitate to contact me in the future.



P.S. From time to time, I compile electronic news briefs highlighting key issues and hot topics of particular importance to Floridians. If you'd like to receive these e-briefs, visit my Web site and sign up for them at http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/ebriefs.cfm

God bless the USA. Please allow those who need help to get it.