HARRISBURG, March 15, 2010 – State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/Montgomery) today held a press conference to announce the introduction of a bill that would provide better access to treatment for the thousands of Pennsylvanians who suffer from eating disorders.
Senate Bill 1138 would require Pennsylvania’s health insurers to cover non-hospital, in-patient treatment for eating disorders and the underlying issues that may cause them.
“Too many victims never receive the care they need to pinpoint the causes of eating disorders and effectively treat them. Without addressing these causal and maintaining factors, most patients will quickly lose weight and relapse,” Leach said. “It is my goal, with this legislation, to ensure that no Pennsylvanian suffering from these diseases will go untreated and face the risk of recidivism again.”
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 American women struggle with an eating disorder, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. Without treatment, up to 15 percent of individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder will die or suffer from long-term chronic illness as a result.
Featured speakers at the press conference included Sam Menaged, CEO of The Renfrew Center; Dr. Susan Ice, Medical Director of The Renfrew Center; Aimee Gilmore, former patient of The Renfrew Center; Anita Sinicrope Maier, MSW, LSW, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Educational Network for Eating Disorders (PENED); and Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe), prime sponsor of House Resolution 191, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the National Eating Disorders Association. Cosponsors of the two bills, Sen. Michael O’Pake (D-Berks) and Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery), also participated in the press conference.
Leach noted that studies have shown the most effective course of treatment is through 24-hour support and structured programs. Non-hospital, residential treatment facilities are often where those types of programs are offered.
“Even though the most successful course of action is to receive care from a residential treatment facility, few insurance plans in our state cover such programs and facilities. That means that Pennsylvanians are denied access to the most effective and efficient treatment available, and that is an unfortunate state of affairs that I aim to change.”
Senate Bill 1138 is currently under consideration by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
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