NAMI - Capitol Day 2005 - 012605

It is an anxious day as I anticipate what it is going to be like to be involved with the "Capitol Day" conference with Joel Roberts speaking, hosted by the Texas Society Psychiatry Physicians (or, "TSPP"). Never been to this sort of a conference before. It will certainly be an interesting experience, no matter the outcome.



NOTES FROM THE DAY

DAY TWO OF THE CONFERENCE BEGINS....
with announcements that the maps of the capitol grounds are available, instructions given that if we don't have an appointment to cold call on our legislators & ask for the health care aid if one is available, always be sure you sign the guest book, and give them a chance to talk and listen for their feedback.

One of the first statistics that they through at us in the morning is the fact, insofar as insurance coverages are concerned, if you tell the insurance company you, or a family member, has a brain disorder the coverage will be limited to $10,000 in coverage by the insurance company; however, if someone has a brain tumor, the insurance will pay $1,000,000 in insurance coverage. What is wrong with that picture????

It is a issue of parity....
and an issue of stigma (hidden from view).

The support isn't the same depending on the diagnosis of the illnesses.

RECOMMENDED READING:

The Tipping Point
by Malcolm Gladwell
regarding social change

Parity Bill - insuring mental illness. Insufficient insurance begats non-productive employees, taking away from the workplace to deal with mental illness issues.

It is interesting to note that State Employees have mental health insurance, which is not the norm for most busisnesses. Small businesses are drowing during underinsured insurance coverage and rising costs.

Managed care language -- fee for service plan doesn't exist.

DSM-4 -- language

Tx Association of Business - supported Joe Nixon's 2003 Tort Reform Bill

Parity ---
* excluding coverage disparities of insurance
* different caps
* no differences for women and minorities
* different levels of emotional support
* different numbers of visits
* different pay (50% psychiatrists - 80% other physicians)
* different mental health facilities available
* different formulas
* different capacity crisis
* different number paid days @ hospitals
* different definitions (lack of acknowledge diagnosis issue)
* proof of ongoing treatment is necessary
* must justify
* mental health not seen as a medical illness
* longer and more effective care in non-psychiatric hospital than in a psych hosp


Aaron states:: "Need to take the 'full monty' of a person with mental illness -- ie Meds often cause other illnesses, as a result of taking the psych meds."

"passing the buck" = "Cost shifting" (silo savings effect)
saving in one area to transfer costs somewhere else...
when costs are shifted, they expand....

Often people have to fail first on one or two other meds b/4 going to other meds....
psych med - have cost compliance rebellion b/c don't want to suffer side effects;
atypical med - often people do better on these

What causes you to listen to be influenced?
* what sounds logical or reasonable
* personal knowledge
* expert

Opposite of expertise is:
* Charisma
* Tug at heartstring
* Presentation style
* Tie-in/personal experience
* Emotions
-- all a part of the humanity aspects!

An example is demonstrated in the Bush v. Gore campaign:
In June, Gore was ahead by 17%. Bush couldn't beat Gore on expertise, because Gore had been VP for past 8 years. Bush was surrounded by experts though, then the campaign shifted to humanity aspects and brought the 17% difference to zero -- like termites on "wooden" Gore.

TO BE CONTINUED WITH BREAKOUT OF THE FOUR BREAKOUT DISCUSSIONS INTO HUMANITY AND EXPERTISE ASPECTS.....