Mental-health insurance parity would build stronger economy
12 02 08 - 12:10
By Barbara Lawton
For the Wausau Daily Herald
Last fall, Wisconsin set not only a state but national record for our participation in National Depression Screening Day. With the help of employers and organizations across the state, we were able to make a free, private online screening for depression available to at least 725,000 families in Wisconsin.
Today, I extend a personal invitation to you to help us make history once again.
On Feb. 20, hundreds of us who are in the know, who understand how important mental health parity is to our state's economic outlook, will make the journey to the Capitol from every corner of the state. Their message to the Legislature: we can no longer afford the status quo. We need mental health parity now.
Parity in insurance coverage for mental illness -- providing the same benefits and same limits for mental illness as for other forms of illness -- is a smart strategy to increase the size of our work force, increase their productivity and retention, reduce absenteeism and dramatically bring down health care costs of a significant number of people.
Fully 50 percent to 70 percent of visits to primary care physicians are for medical complaints that stem from psychological factors.
The Wall Street Journal estimated depression's annual toll on U.S. businesses at more than $90 billion in medical expenditures, lost workdays and decreased productivity. Studies show that health plans with the highest financial barriers to mental health services have higher rates of long-term disability claims.
The data indeed argue that there are savings to be realized with mental health parity. Minnesota enacted parity 12 years ago at an annual cost of just $3 per person -- but that figure doesn't account for those savings realized with better general health and increased performance on the job.
Consider the experience of these employers:
. At McDonnell Douglas, parity yielded a 4-to-1 return on investment after considering medical claims, absenteeism and turnover.
. When Kennecott Copper provided mental health counseling for employees, its hospital, medical and surgical costs decreased 48.9 percent.
. Delta testified that implementing generous mental health and substance abuse benefits for employees and families improves its corporate "bottom line."
A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine came to this conclusion: "When coupled with management of care, implementation of parity in insurance benefits for behavioral health care can improve insurance protection without increasing total costs."
Untreated mental illness infects families, the workplace and classrooms. It increases costs for attendant physical illnesses and destabilizes a community by contributing to a reduction in security with increased alcohol and drug use, physical abuse and assault.
Join the more than 250 organizations, countless citizens and a bipartisan team of legislative leaders who are determined to proudly deliver Senate Bill 375 for mental health parity to the governor for his signature. With that historic move, Wisconsin will join 42 other states that already have enacted parity and begun to reap its benefits.
Simply click on the "Mental Health" button on my Web site -- www.ltgov.wisconsin.gov -- to register.
For our own contributions to be strong, for our children to realize their potential, for businesses to thrive, to reduce unnecessary social and health care costs of untreated mental illness, and to improve our economic and physical security, speak out for mental health parity now.
Barbara Lawton is Wisconsin's lieutenant governor. Her communications office can be reached at 608-261-2165.