A Bill For An Act

It is estimated that the most serious and disabling mental health conditions affect five to ten million adults and three to five million children in the United States. The consequences of mental illness for an individual and society are staggering. It can result in unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration, and suicide. It is estimated that the economic cost of untreated mental illness in the United States exceeds one billion dollars each year.

According to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, mental illnesses are treatable. Mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders and most people with serious mental illness need medication to help control symptoms. Treatments for serious mental illness today are highly effective; between seventy and ninety per cent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatment and supports.

However, treatment failures or breaks can lead to irreparable harm. The process of preauthorization of Medicaid recipients before a licensed psychiatrist or physician can dispense medication to treat mental illness is difficult and time-consuming and can cause permanent injury to the patient in need. Many states have established cost controls to combat the rising cost of prescription medication. The legislature finds that while restrictions may reduce expenditures on drugs, the savings are offset by increases in service substitution costs elsewhere in the system.

The purpose of this Act is to improve access to psychotropic medication for a Medicaid eligible person with a mental illness. (Excerpt)