Eating Disorders Finally Recognized in Legislation
Posted on: January 31st, 2017
Eating disorder advocacy, prevention and treatment groups scored a significant victory in recent weeks. Just before President Obama left office he signed the 21st Century Act which for the first time recognized eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder in a piece of federal legislation. The act addresses a number of major health-related issues, one of which increases eating disorder prevention efforts and makes access to treatment easier.
“We are bringing to reality the possibility of new breakthroughs to some of the greatest health-care challenges of our time,” Obama said. “It is wonderful to see how well Democrats and Republicans in the closing day of this Congress came together around a common cause. And I think it indicates the power of this issue and how deeply it touches every family across America.”
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), twenty million women and ten million men will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their life. And currently anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. The 21st Century Act is a real testament to eating disorder advocates who have worked tirelessly for fifteen years to get these life-threatening conditions recognized in a federal bill. In 2008, an act passed that requires most insurance companies to provide equal coverage for mental health care and physical health care which is referred to as “mental health parity.” Unfortunately, the act didn’t specifically mention eating disorders, but finally the 21st Century Act fixes that.
The passage of this bill will lead to insurance companies having less flexibility to deny coverage for eating disorders that they’re already supposed to be providing through the federal mental health parity law. According to Kerry Donohue, public policy manager at NEDA, “It clarifies the original intent that residential treatment for eating disorders is supposed to be included in the federal mental health parity act, and ultimately this will allow people suffering from eating disorders to have better access to treatment.”
The benefit to those suffering with eating disorders is profound, because under current law many patients are forced to pay huge sums of money out-of-pocket. The financial pressure is so great many will re-finance their homes, rack up credit card debt or go into bankruptcy in order to pay for eating disorder treatment. And unfortunately, some have no means whatsoever to pay and will go without treatment. This is particularly troubling, because research shows that early diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders is ideal. Those who suffer for longer periods without treatment have a much more difficult road to recovery.
If you or someone you love is suffering from an eating disorder seek treatment immediately. Call Maureen Kritzer-Lange Psychotherapy at 973-313-1691 or email info@maureenkritzerlange.com
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