October 24, 2004
Are Elections about Real People?
As the elections loom in the very near future the question that comes to mind over and over is a simple one? Is the election really about real people?
When do women and children become a priority to elected officials…now do not get me wrong…the lip service is fantastic but what about accountability. Lifelines Foundation for Eating Disorders is horrified by the lack of resources available in our state for mental health services, especially eating disorders, and it seems that the “buck” doesn’t stop anywhere that we have noticed. We deal with families’ everyday that are desperately trying to figure out how to secure treatment for their loved ones. How can you ask a family to pay $1500 a day for a treatment that might be the only avenue to save their loved ones life? What are the other choices for that family? Little to none is the answer. In the six years since Lifelines Foundation has been established we have dealt with hundreds of families that are being denied, stalled, intimidated, and bullied by insurance companies that are making decision that affect our children’s lives…in most cases not their children’s lives or they would be making better and more accurate decisions. Once again we have witnessed the painful cuts that are taking place in the mental health field in Texas, we have watched as the Texas Mental Health Parity Act has been stalled in both the Texas House and the Texas Senate. A representative that is willing to step forward to carry the mantel of justice for us is met with the inexcusable response that something has to give…there is only money for the necessary components of the budget, it will cost the tax payer too much, it will add too much to the insurance that business are trying to provide for their workers. Let us be the first to tell you that all those excuses are inexcusable…when it is your child or wife, or sister or mother that is suffering near death from either anorexia or bulimia…none of that is acceptable. Mental illness touches every aspect of the Texas budget. Try Juvenile Justice, try Education, try Unemployment, try Child Protective Services since in 2003 290 children were “given over to the state’ by the parents to access mental health services and the list can go on from there. Lifelines Foundation has watched as families cry out in desperation for an Acute Care, Long Term, In-Patient Eating Disorder specialized treatment facility in Texas. We have watched families send their children, wives and sisters to other states to secure treatment while we here in Texas, are throwing up our hands in disgust at the lack of concern and interest, the lack of foresight and wisdom. With the necessary focus on childhood obesity there is the real possibility that Texas could be facing a new generation of adolescents that take that message one step too far and dieting becomes and eating disorders in the blink of an eye.
It may be too late to influence the election BUT it is never too late for accountability from our elected officials! Accountability is a personal responsibility of every voter no matter what your passion is…mental health…eating disorders…a physical illness without public funding…education ....unemployment…the list is endless! The real issue in not the passion that you fight for, the issue is whether you are willing to take the necessary steps to hold any and all elected officials accountable for the ills of society. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, the life of a loved one transcends all political boundaries. It is a matter of basic human needs and rights…life and liberty and to obtain that we must include mental health services in a state that has put its women and children at the bottom of the list of priorities. Money…. isn’t it all relevant to what is most important to the people making the decisions? We at Lifelines Foundation haven’t heard our phones ringing off the wall from elected officials asking us what the families we serve feel is the most important issue of this election. Then again, the only question we can ask is “when will our loved ones be an issue in an election, budget meeting or congressional committee meeting”? Mental illness doesn’t happened to someone else’ family it happens to ours…or maybe to yours. Stand up and be counted, hold your elected officials accountable, write letters, make phone calls, better yet go and visit. Your voice is the only tool left to make an impact on the new legislative session. Let them tell you face to face that $1500-$1800 a day for treatment is not an issue in Texas any longer…let them ask us and we can tell them…IT IS!
October 22, 2004
Woman's Day Magazine award!
Lifelines Foundation for Eating Disorders is proud to announce that Dawn Montaner was selected for a Shinning Star award for Woman's Day Magazine. The November 16th issue is now on the newsstands and we hope that you will pick up a copy and read Dawn's story as well as the other remarkable women that were selected. The article about Lifelines Foundation for Eating Disorders bring national attention to the epidemic of eating disorders in our nation. Please visit the web site and leave your comments for Dawn and Lifelines Foundation.
