NAMI released the results of a questionnaire sent to the two candidates. The survey consisted of 24 questions regarding mental health initiatives and plans (e.g. "Support mental health and substance abuse coverage in all plans to provide affordable health care?" and "Support access to SSI/SSDI, Medicaid and other federal benefits upon release from jail or prison for people with mental illness?") with choices ranging from "Strongly Oppose" to "Strongly Support." The candidates then had the opportunity to write in some comments after each.
Regarding Obama's position, some general observations can be made.
For every question, Obama selected "Strongly Support."
The theme of his responses is that he will effect a comprehensive and affordable coverage for all Americans; all areas of mental health will be fully covered, specifically:
* Full parity for all mental health coverage
* Medicaid reimbursements for all types of inpatient psychiatric care (for example, Medicaid sometimes excludes straight drug and alcohol rehab, and only "dual diagnosis" treatment.)
* Fully funded VA, including increasing the number of mental health professionals and removing the ban on benefits to vets who had a "preexisting condition"
* Improve/increase employment opportunities for the mentally ill, by a) increasing funding to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (anti-discrimination enforcement) and b) funding school based mental health services and improving education to those with mental health issues
* Creation of an Affordable Housing Trust Fund (from the profits of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) to create affordable housing
* Passing the Keeping Families Together act which ends the practice of custody relinquishment by families who bring their children in for mental health services
* Maintaining coverage for people with disabilities for people who go back to work. Currently, those covered under Medicaid receiving treatment for, say, bipolar, would lose their coverage one they earn above a certain amount (i.e. they go back to work.) If the work is part time (and the job does not pay benefits) they may lose their whole coverage, or prescription coverage.
* Diversion of mentally ill offenders from jails to treatment facilities or community treatment
The plan does not explain how these points will be effected, or how it will be paid for, though he has outlined further details in speeches and appearances. But, in general, it appears that Obama is fully committed to a plan of universal mental health coverage, regardless of the difficulties, and it is reasonable to infer, as this is one of his top priorities, that he will make sacrifices elsewhere in order to fund his plan.
I was appalled to see the "statement" McCain gave the NAMI - a motherhood statement at best, at worst a "pull up your socks and deal with you own issues" statement.
So, stop your substance abuse, stop feeling sorry for yourself, get exercise and eat well, be a good example to your children....Give me strength.
If a political candidate put that forward in Australia they would be in deep doo doo.
I am not an American Citizen but I felt that this statement was offensive and showed zero insight - I guess I should stop being shocked!
N
After nearly eight years of this nere-do-well regime nothing shocks us. As fo John McCain, well there isn't much to say, another stand up and be counted sort of Neandertal with a very small and very closed mind.
We get what we deserve in this country when their minions select these populist infidels to govern, and I the term loosely. This country has become a global dissappointment and more than likely, it won't change for some time. I have threatened to move, and November may be the date for reckoning.
See below why this Obama campaigning by health central is a MOOT point ....
Yes, well, Obama's response to everything is yes, we can pay for everything and anything that everyone wants.
Give me a break. Wake up America! When are you going to see that he will say what everyone WANTS to hear? The greatest insult is to be patronized in that way.
I don't agree with everything that McCain's campaign stands for, but I do believe that he at least says what he believes is right, and not just what people want to hear, to get elected.
ACORN is just another reason to beware of the fraudulent behavior democrats are using to get their man in. If that's the kind of behavior people wanting Obama in will resort to, than I don't want their man.
It was just reported tonight on tv news that the Democratic secretary of state for Ohio has the database showing enormous numbers of people who have registered and voted multiple times, but she is not complying with exposing the voter fraud committed by democrats. Note: Ohio... Chicago ... Obama.
This is only the tip of the iceberg of the corruption that will follow.
Wake up America! The country's banks are folding! As much as we all need more mental health benefits, the country cannot pay for it now, and for Obama to keep promising that it can, just shows the lack of judgement and character he has. He supported Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and now turns tide just to win the Presidency.
Note: This Obama vs. McCain article is actually a moot point, as the following legislation passed on 9/23/08 as reported by Adrienne Hahn of the Consumer Union: http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_health_care/006184.html
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Congress Passes Mental Health Parity Legislation
Consumers Union Praises Landmark Legislation to End Insurers'
Discrimination Against Americans Suffering From Mental Illness
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House and Senate passed legislation today that requires health insurers to provide coverage that treats mental health and substance abuse claims on par with physical health benefits. The House passed a stand-alone mental health parity bill, while the Senate passed it as part of the tax extenders bill.
"It's time to end insurance discrimination against Americans suffering from mental illness and addiction," said Adrienne Hahn, Senior Attorney/Program Manager for Consumers Union. "This bill helps ensure that millions of Americans will be treated more fairly and get the care they need to stay healthy."
Millions of Americans need mental health and addiction treatment but are not getting it. Each year, 1.3 billion work days are lost due to mental disorders, more than arthritis, stroke, heart attack and cancer combined. If enacted into law, the new federal mental health parity measure would:
• Completely end insurance discrimination against mental health and substance use disorder benefits for over 113 million Americans, requiring full parity coverage with physical health benefits.
• Preserve strong state parity and consumer protection laws while extending parity protection to 82 million more people who cannot be protected by state laws.
• Ensure parity coverage for both in-network and out-of-network services.
The story of Kim Witczak of Minneapolis helps illustrate how consumers can be treated unfairly by insurers when it comes to mental health issues. After Witczak's husband committed suicide, she went through grief counseling to deal with her loss. Right before her COBRA health coverage ran out, Witczak applied for an individual health plan. She was able to get coverage through another insurer, but only on the condition that she not file any counseling claims for two years.
Witczak's story was chronicled as part of Consumer Reports Health's Cover America Tour, which highlighted the difficulties Americans face getting the health care they need. Videos of Americans telling their health care stories, including Witczak's, can be found at www.CoverAmericaTour.org
"This measure stops insurance companies from setting higher co-pays or placing stricter limits on mental health benefits," said Hahn. "It will level the playing field for those suffering from mental illness and give them the same protections and coverage as those with physical ailments."
Adrienne Hahn: 202-462-6262
Consumer Union
Cannot understand how anyone who cares about their country can vote for McCain and Palin. Divisive, extremist and rabble rousing - to the point where even McCain is embarrased by the things his supporters are trying to say about Obama.
That woman is a nightmare - and as a woman I find her appalling. She stands for everything that I don't - self-promotion, bigotry, ignorance and greed - but hey, she knows "everything about energy" .
I have worked out that John Stewart is the only reason US Citizens survive elections - without him and Colbert it would just be plain frightening.
Mental health is about having a healthy society as well as being a healthy individual. At least Obama talks about universal health care (like we pretty well have over here) - it is affordable and it is do-able. So many other countries can do it, yet the "world power" that is America can't even do that for its citizens.
I reckon if you don't want WWIII, vote Obama. Imagine the mental anguish that another 4 years of a Bush style administration would cause, not only Americans, but the rest of the world will have to live with its foreign policy - and quite frankly we are sick to death of American (Bush)foreign policy here in Oz.