------------------------------------------------------------------- F.A.C.T.Net, Inc. (Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network, Incorporated) a non-profit computer bulletin board and electronic library 601 16th St. #C-217 Golden, Colorado 80401 USA BBS 303 530-1942 FAX 303 530-2950 Office 303 473-0111 This document is part of an electronic lending library and preservational electronic archive. F.A.C.T.Net does not sell documents, it only lends them according to the terms of your library cardholder agreement with F.A.C.T.Net, Inc. ===================================================================== CULT ABUSE POLICY & RESEARCH Policy Representation of Cult Victims' Unrnet Needs at the Federal Level Vol. 1, No. 1 Newsletter December 1993 CAN, AFF WEIGH IN ON MENTAL HEALTH, HEALTH CARE REFORM by David J. Bardin, Arent Fox Kintner Plotkin & Kahn Washington Counsd for American Family Foundation (AFF) and Cult Awareness Network (CAN) Since early 1993, CAN and AFF have been working to represent cult victim needs in health reform. Mental health coverage is a major issue in the health reform debate. CAN and AFF care because good mental health coverage can be extremely important to exocult members, many of whom lack any medical or mental health insurance today. Two fundamental issues as to mental health coverage in the final health care bill Congress expects to enact in 1994 are: ú Will health care include mental health coverage at all? Will health care benefits discriminate against mental health? CAN and AFF are working with other national organizations in the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), a Washingtonbased advocacy coalition of mental health users and providers. They argue for strong mental health benefits. So does Tipper Gore, wife of the Vice President, who is one of Washington's staunchest advocates of caring for America's mental health needs. Some health plans differentiate between mental health needs and medical needs, others do not. Discrimination may take the form of denying any mental health coverage whatsoever, or it may arbitrarily limit the amount of mental health care available in contrast to other care. Discrimination will come up as an issue before Congress as it considers health care reform proposals. SINGER-CLINTON EXCHANGE Prof. Margaret T. Singer wrote Hillary Rodham Clinton last March about the "thousands of people who exit from destructive cult groups each year" as people likely to have medical and mental health needs but lacking health insurance. Mrs. Clinton promptly directed the Health Care Task Force to include in its considerations Dr. Singer's "experiences in working with cult veterans and your concern about the unique problems they face regarding health care." [Copy of Mrs. Clinton's letter is attached.] In later statements to help Congress define a health benefits package, AFF President Herbert Rosedale and CAN President Patricia Ryan stressed importance "to the well-being of these former cult members that there be programs to cover their emotional and mental rehabilitation needs, as well as medical needs of all kinds." CULT ABUSE POLICY & RESEARCH Newsletter -- December 1993 -- Page 2 Clinton compromise The Clinton Administration's health reform proposal covers mental health but compromises on differentiation. For the first twoyear "phase-in" period, the Administration would arbitrarily limit mental health benefits where it does not limit medical benefits. For example, during the first two years, a patient whose doctor presented admission to a hospital mental health care unit could be denied benefits that automatically apply to a patient whose doctor prescn~ed admission to a medical care unit in the same hospital. In the third year (2001) the plan would end such discrimination. Mental health coverage in dispute The Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a Church of Scientology affiliate, has written to every member of Congress urging them to eliminate all mental health coverage. Responding, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) wrote every Senator and Representative: "You have recently received a diatribe against inclusion of mental health treatment withh~ health care reform and also against psychiatry from ... an arm of the Church of ScientologyY APA and NAMI urged rejection of these "malicious anti-medical attacks" and support for "non-discriminatory coverage of treatment for mental illness." [The APA-NAMI letter is attached.] The National Association of Manufacturers has also advocated stripping away all mental health benefits -- as a cost-cutting measure. Yet American companies that offer mental health benefits to their employees find that such benefits can actually reduce needs for other medical services and help cut costs. The MHLG told Congress, in testimony endorsed by CAN and AFF, studies show that "Good mental healthcare ... can help reduce other physical healthcare costs" -- not to mention reduced pain and suffering. CAN and AFF call for non-discriminatory mental health component CAN and AFF endorse the Clinton Administration's inclusion of mental health benefits in health care reform but call for starting the health program on a non'discriminatory, non-arbitrary basis from the outset. Write your Congressman and Senators to express your views. ADVISORY COMMrrrEE The Cult Abuse Policy & Research project is in the process of forming its advisory committee, to be Vtsted in future issues. Send communications to: David J. 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