CT Proposed Bill #169 (Form Ltr)
/Please feel free to use this letter that I sent my State Rep. *
Dear (Insert Your Rep's Name),
I'm very concerned about Bill #169. There are currently too few mental health professionals in our state to care for children and adults with mental health needs. Where will the services for these identified children come from? Public mental health services are far better than private yet they're chronically underfunded. 1:6 children can be expected to be identified through this bill. BPT Child Guidance has gone from 5 days a week to 2 days a week with waiting lists. Private Insurance is a failure in this department too; parity isn't practiced.
I urge you to read/watch all of the testimony from the January 29th, 2013 Hearing on Mental Health.
Concerns with this bill:
1. It's another unfunded mandate.
2. Will place liability on the local BOE's, towns & the state.
3. Who will assess these children?
4. Who pays for their care after they're identified?
5. How is a BOE qualified to provide this service?
6. Who keeps these records?
7. How will these records affect an identified child's future?
8. Who's responsible for the care if identified?
9. Where are these services that an identified student needs?
Facts from January 29th, 2013 hearing on Mental Health:
1. Not enough providers of child/adolescent mental health services in CT right now, nor expected in the near future.
2. Not enough therapists nor beds currently in CT for children/adolescents in need.
3. Private insurance not providing level of care nor access needed. (My area of interest and experience.)
Please advise if there will be a public hearing on this Bill. I'm available to help your committee in any way needed.
(Insert Name & Address)
* When writing your elected officials remember a few things: Most allow only a few words to be submitted through the state/federal website, your direct Representative is most likely to read your letter, Rep's from other districts even committee chairs normally don't read your input. *Still send your opinion, they count emails on each issue.*
(originally published 2.11.13, repost 2.20.13)