In a move that mirrors the actions of many state legislatures, the U.S. Congress has approved a sweeping mental health bill that requires insurers to provide the same level of coverage for mental illnesses as they do for physical illnesses. The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), both of whom have struggled with alcohol or drug addictions.

"Typical annual limits include 30 visits to a doctor or 30 days of hospital care for treatment of a mental disorder. Under the legislation passed yesterday, those limits would no longer be allowed if the insurer had no limits on treatment for medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees would be exempt."

The only remaining obstacle is the $3.4 billion in lost tax revenue to the federal government. It's unclear whether details can be worked out before Congress recesses. Source: Washington Post

Labels: legislation, mental_health

An opinion piece in the DeKalb County (IL) Daily Chronicle asks for the state's governor to sign recently passed legislation which would require insurance companies to provide coverage for eating disorder treatment.

"Treatment often requires inpatient care. That can be expensive. The average cost for a month of inpatient treatment for an eating disorder is $30,000. It is estimated that individuals with eating disorders need anywhere from three to six months of inpatient care."

If the legislation is signed into law, Illinois would become the 17th state to mandate coverage for eating disorder treatment. Source: The Daily Chronicle (IL)

Labels: legislation, support, treatment

On Thursday, May 8th, the Illinois State Legislature Insurance committee will be presented with a bill aimed at expanding insurance coverage to include treatment of anorexia and bulimia.

"According to Kimberly Dennis, M.D., Medical Director at Timberline Knolls...eating disorders should have the same coverage as the serious mental illnesses currently covered by the Illinois mental health parity law. 'It's extremely important that the state legislature recognize the importance of providing equal medical coverage to those suffering from eating disorders,' said Dr. Dennis..."

The bill, HB 1432, would make anorexia and bulimia part of the list of mental illnesses which Illinois insurance is required to cover. Source: BusinessWire.

Labels: influences, legislation, mental_illness

Soon, the French could begin handing down jail sentences in connection with the promotion or encouragement of anorexic behavior. The draft law, proposed by French senator Valerie Boyer, is aimed at halting images and messages in the media that glorify excessive thinness.

"While not seeking to target bona fide dieting, the law would punish any encouragement to make 'people deprive themselves of food in order to get excessively thin', or than constituted an 'open apology of anorexia.'"

Penalties for breaking the law would include up to three years in jail and a nearly $60,000 fine if the message or image resulted in someone's death from anorexia. Simply inciting anorexic behavior would carry a penalty of two years in jail. Source: Telegraph UK

Labels: legislation, media_influences, pro-ana

A new campaign against eating disorders has been launched in Germany, and the government is helping kick things off. The campaign was organized by Alice Schwarzer, founder of the German feminist magazine Emma.

"The government stance comes as data shows an alarming increase in eating disorders, particularly among girls and women in Germany, which some observers have connected with the promotion of the waif-like body ethic in certain sections of the media."

Schwarzer calls the obsession with ultra-thin a "mass psychosis of the West" and criticized Germany for being too slow to respond to the growing crisis.

Labels: legislation, media_influences, prevention

Adi Barkan, famous fashion photographer and owner of a Tel Aviv modeling agency, has committed to changing the modeling industry's definition of beauty. A few months ago, Barkan rushed an Israeli model to the hospital; she was battling anorexia and had collapsed in her home. She died last week, weighing less than 60 pounds.

"Barkan's goal, through legislation and public relations, is to try to change the very definition of beauty, one pound at a time. In 2004, working with Knesset member Inbal Gavriely, he successfully submitted legislation to Israel's Parliament requiring all Israeli modeling agencies to use the Body Mass Index (BMI) as a pre-requisite for employment..."

To date, over 30 Israeli CEOs have agreed to only hire models that have passed a health exam. In order to continue working, models have to pass a health exam every three months. With France and Italy opening supporting Barkan's campaign, the modeling industry may well be on its way to redefining beauty.

Labels: legislation, media_influences, modeling

Just in time for New York's Fashion Week, Gov. Eliot Spitzer has signed into law a bill that can help with the identification and prevention of eating disorders. The focus of the bill is the entertainment industry.

"As a result of the Governor's action, a Child Performers Advisory Board will be created oversee the development of guidelines to ensure that child actors suffering from or at risk for eating disorders are identified and have access to treatment. Appointed by the Commissioner of Labor, along with the Commissioners of Health and Mental Health, board members will also develop educational materials to generate awareness and inform actors and models about eating disorders."

The new legislation also requires that licensing regulations be established for residential treatment centers which serve the needs of people with eating disorders.

Labels: awareness, legislation, prevention

Just in time for New York's Fashion Week, Gov. Eliot Spitzer has signed into law a bill that can help with the identification and prevention of eating disorders. The focus of the bill is the entertainment industry.

"As a result of the Governor's action, a Child Performers Advisory Board will be created oversee the development of guidelines to ensure that child actors suffering from or at risk for eating disorders are identified and have access to treatment. Appointed by the Commissioner of Labor, along with the Commissioners of Health and Mental Health, board members will also develop educational materials to generate awareness and inform actors and models about eating disorders."

The new legislation also requires that licensing regulations be established for residential treatment centers which serve the needs of people with eating disorders.

Labels: awareness, legislation, prevention

Today, the New York State legislature passed two bills that have eating disorder prevention advocates applauding. The bills addressed such issues as eating disorders among child actors, the licensing of residential facilities and the establishment of an advisory council.

"[Lynn] Grefe said that the State decision to create the Child Performers Advisory Board to address concerns surrounding child models and actors for the prevention and identification of eating disorders is much needed."

The Council of Fashion Designers proposed similar guidelines in February but many experts in the field of eating disorders felt the guidelines didn't do enough. Read more at Earthtimes.org.

Looking for a residential treatment center? Island View helps troubled teens with a variety of problems and issues.

Labels: child_welfare, legislation, prevention