May 24, 2006 - Mental Health Awareness Walk and Picnic For Parity in Watertown

Father Turns Grief To Action
Watertown Daily Times June 1, 2006
By Norah Machia

Timothy O’Clair’s family struggled for five years to get the proper treatment for his depression, yet they were continually faced with mental health coverage limits on their insurance policy.

Although his parents, Thomas P. and Donna S. O’Clair of Schenectady, spent most of their money on care for their son, they were eventually forced to give up custody of Timothy to the state temporarily so his treatment would be covered by the Medicaid system.

By that time, they had already “lost” several years when Timothy should have been receiving full treatment for his depression, his father said.

In March 2001, Timothy hanged himself in his bedroom closet. He was just weeks away from his 13th birthday.

Mr. O’Clair spoke about his son’s tragic death at a rally Wednesday morning in front of the Watertown Municipal Building that was held to raise awareness of mental health issues.

“Timothy would have been graduating from high school next month,” said Mr. O’Clair, who displayed large color photographs of his son on a bicycle and the engraving on his tombstone. “His mental health issues led him to take his own life.”

Mr. O’Clair is traveling throughout the state to generate support for proposed legislation named after his son.

Timothy’s Law, which the Assembly approved in March 2004, would require health insurance companies to provide mental health and substance abuse coverage that is equal to what they provide for medical care.

The proposed law, however, has not yet been brought for a vote in the Senate.

“We have to remain hopeful that it will get approved,” Mr. O’Clair said. “It’s difficult when it fails to get voted on by the Senate. It’s like losing him all over again.”

Timothy’s Law “would allow people with mental health issues to get the care they deserve,” he said.

Insurance companies are not obliged under New York state law to provide the same coverage for mental health treatment as for physical care.

For example, a policy could cover 80 percent of the cost for treatment of a sore throat, but could cover only 50 percent for a mental health visit.

“All we want is a level playing field for mental health disabilities, which are very treatable,” Mr. O’Clair said. “It’s a basic human right.”

It’s also a right that is recognized by 35 other states, which have laws that require equal insurance coverage for physical and mental health treatment, said Michael Seereiter, director of public policy, Mental Health Association in New York State, Albany.

“There are nine million federal employees and retirees who also have equal coverage,” said Mr. Seereiter, who attended the rally.

Those who support the law, including the National Association of Social Workers, claim passage of the bill in New York would result in insurance rates increasing only $1.26 per month per person to provide parity for mental health and substance abuse coverage.

The bill is being opposed by some businesses and insurance companies, however, which have claimed the law would drive rates much higher.

But Mr. Seereiter said that the parity in coverage would result in a cost savings for businesses in the long run, because if people could get the needed treatment, there would be better productivity and fewer sick days at the workplace.

The event, which also included a walk to Thompson Park following the rally, was organized by a group of north country mental health advocates and clients.

The organizers hoped to raise awareness of mental health issues and the services available in the community to help people, said Jennifer Hodge, Samaritan Medical Center community education manager.