Jan. 24, 2000
The Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce came out today against legislation that would increase mental health insurance coverage in Utah.
News Specialist Shelley Osterloh has details.
The Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce says the cost for mental health insurance would be too high, and too great a burden for small business owners.
Frank Pignanelli, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce: "THAT IF YOU MANDATE BENEFITS ON A CONTINUAL BASIS, INSURANCE WILL BECOME TOO EXPENSIVE, TOO PROHIBITIVE AND BENEFITS WILL HAVE TO BE REDUCED OR DROPED ALL TOGETHER."
But the bill's sponsor says, society can't afford the price of mental illness.
Judy Ann Buffmire/Bill's Sponsor: "WE JUST AS A SOCIETY CAN NO LONGER IGNORE AND DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE MENTALLY ILL. THE LACK OF TREATMENT OPTIONS COST SOCIETY AND INDIVIDUALS TOO MUCH, IN DOLLARS, IN DANGER, IN DESPERATION. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PARITY. LET'S JUST DO IT."
Supporters of the bill rallied on the capitol steps a couple of weeks ago, trying to put faces on the issue of mental health.
The bill does not equalize mental and physical health coverage, but it is a step toward parity.
The Chamber of Commerce points out the parity mandate would apply only to small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, businesses that are already reeling from double digit increases in health insurance.
But no one agrees on just how much the bill would increase insurance premiums.
John T. Nielsen/Chamber of Commerce: "THE CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH ILLS WOULD PROBALBY WE ESTIMATE RAISE INSURANCE PREMIUMS ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 5 %."
Vicki Cottrell/National Alliance for the Mentally Ill: "OUR OWN STATE ACUTUARIES HAVE ESTIMATED 1.5% AND WE ALSO IN THE BILL HAVE CLAUSE... AN ESCAPE CLAUSE... FOR SMALL BUSINESS THAT IF IT COSTS TOO MUCH, IF IT GOES OVER 2%, THEY CAN GET OUT."
Some small business owners say they don't want a state mandate. They would rather offer increased mental health coverage as an incentive.
Representative Buffmire says this compromise bill is not as comprehensive as she would like, but it does cover catastrophic mental health problems such as severe depression, schizophrenia, and other dilusional disorders.
