Assembly Gives Final Passage To 'Timothy's Law'

Bill Would End Mental Health Care Discrimination

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Assemblyman Paul Tonko announced this evening the Assembly, in a unanimous vote, gave final legislative passage to "Timothy's Law," a mental-health parity bill aimed at ending discrimination against mental-health care by insurance companies in New York State.

The legislation is named for Timothy O'Clair, who suffered from mental illness and took his own life before his 13th birthday. Tom O'Clair, Timothy's father, and other members of the O'Clair family have courageously lobbied members of the Legislature during countless visits to the Capitol for more than four years, recounting their painful loss and the suffering they experience because they lacked adequate health-insurance coverage for Timothy's desperately needed treatment.

"Timothy's Law was a top priority for the 2006 legislative year. This bill establishes the rights of those who need mental-health care so that these individuals will no longer be second-class citizens in our health-insurance system," said Silver. "Mental-health parity has long been a major issue for the Assembly. We are pleased that at last a serious issue has been recognized. We urge the governor to sign this critical legislation into law this year."

"Each year health plans continue to cut back on coverage for mental-health care treatment. Our parents, children, friends and family will now have access to the insurance coverage they need," said Tonko (D-Schenectady/Montgomery counties), who sponsored the legislation (A.12080).

"Tom O'Clair has been a tireless advocate for this legislation and his commitment to ensuring that no other families suffer from the same hardships they were forced to deal with is both extraordinary and exemplary. I salute Mr. O'Clair and his family and thank him for his passion to improve mental health-care coverage for all New Yorkers," said Silver.

"The experience of the state's own Empire Plan shows that it is possible to offer a comprehensive mental-health benefit without busting the bank," said Pete Grannis (D-Manhattan), chair of the Assembly Insurance Committee. "Passage of this legislation today marks both a great improvement in the quality of mental health services that will be available to New York families, and a big first step in the effort to end discrimination against mental illness once and for all.

"The need to extend full insurance coverage for mental-health services has been evident for many years. Too many people have had to do without and suffer the tragic consequences. With the final passage of Timothy's Law today, children, adults and families throughout our state will now be able to afford the health services and treatment that has been out of reach for too long," said Peter Rivera (D-Bronx), chair of the Assembly Mental Health Committee.