Parity is vital in mental health care

The Illinois Psychiatric Society would like to thank Rep. Fred Crespo for his ongoing leadership in obtaining passage of HB 1432 in the Illinois House.

HB 1432 will ensure parity for all mental illnesses by adding eating disorders to the list of disorders that must be covered by insurers. Eating disorders are serious illnesses and affect several million people at any given time. Anorexia nervosa is the third most common chronic illness in adolescent females. The mortality rate of anorexia nervosa is nearly 12 times greater than the rate due to all causes of death among females, ages 15 to 24. Suicide is a major cause of death in anorexia, with estimated deaths ranging between 27 and 42 percent.

Mental health parity isn't only right, it's smart.

Untreated mental illnesses, including eating disorders, impose a significant financial burden on patients, families and businesses, primarily through productivity losses -- $204 billion annually, according to the most recent estimates.

The fact is, any increased costs associated with parity are minimal.

The Illinois Psychiatric Society urges citizens of Illinois to contact their state senators and ask them to support the bill as it proceeds through the Senate.

Daniel Anzia, MD

President

Illinois Psychiatric Society Meryl Camin Sosa

Executive Director

Illinois Psychiatric Society Chicago