`too Dumb To Quit' 
After 22 Years, Cheap Trick Still Wants You To Want Them

2 Honorees Credit Program For Success

Monday, July 29, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Stop mental illness, mental health benefits from getting shortchanged &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In response to an Other Opinion titled, ``Mental-health benefits threaten
whole system'' (May 4), the Congressional Budget Office needs to consider some
additional factsFirst, discrimination exists because physical illness covers
all bodily functions and organs, and the side effects of those illnesses; but
when it comes to the brain, the most vital organ, its "side effects" are
treated as a second-class problem as insurance benefits reflect. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The laws are currently written to provide for the insurance companies
instead of the patient and leave many financially short to get the help they
need. For those who can afford the help, this poor coverage is quickly
depleted along with much if not all that they have worked for and saved. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Is this the American way? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When the budget commission factors in the cost of the coverage for mental
illness to make it equitable to physical illnesses, it needs to consider that
the brunt of the burden of the cost falls on the back of the employer. In
almost every workplace environment, there are people in positions of authority
with untreated mental illness of some sort causing dissension among the other
employees. This lowers the productivity and morale of the average worker,
ultimately causing either their dismissal or resignation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The supervisory people are retained because of the value the employer
places on their company knowledge. What the companies do not consider, is the
high cost of hiring, retraining and the overall staggering costs of worker
turnover. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If mental illness coverage were equal to that for physical illness, perhaps
some of these people would seek the help they need. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 How many people use physical insurance-dollar coverage for medical
attention that in many cases relates to a psychological dysfunction? These
related psychological problems are probably a major contributor to the current
soaring costs of medical insurance coverage. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In every four families, there is one person suffering from mental illness.
In Luzerne County alone, there are more than 8,000 mentally ill people. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On April 18, the U.S. Senate adopted an amendment by more than a 2/3
majority sponsored by Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., and Paul Wellstone, D-Minn.,
to end this discriminatory insurance practice. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Since it is the job of the psychiatrists, counselors, administrators and
the families of the mentally ill to deal with this problem daily, it is
incumbent for all to write letters to Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, in
support of this new bill. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 No more discrimination. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Vince Anzalone &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kingston &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Stop Mental Illness, Mental Health Benefits From Getting Shortchanged 
In Response To An Other Opinion Titled, ``mental-health Benefits Threaten 
Whole System'' (may 4), The Congressional Budget Office Needs To Consider Some 
Additional Facts.

Stop Mental Illness, Mental Health Benefits From Getting Shortchanged In Response To An Other Opinion Titled, ``mental-health Benefits Threaten Whole System'' (may 4), The Congressional Budget Office Needs To Consider Some Additional Facts.