Groups to push for reform of mental health care for children

BOSTON --A coalition of psychiatrists and mental health advocates is pushing for legislative overhaul of the way the state cares for mentally ill children, calling the current system fractured and underfunded.

The coalition on Tuesday issued recommendations that included requiring insurers to cover mental health care at a similar level to physical health care and making the mental health system more integrated to ensure proper care.

"The time is now and the time is right, and it's time to carry through and act on the recommendations in this policy paper," said Dr. David DeMaso, psychiatrist in chief at Children's Hospital Boston.

The coalition estimated that of the nearly 150,000 Massachusetts children who need mental health services each year, more than two-thirds do not get the care they need.

Coalition member Health Care for All, which advocates universal health care for all Massachusetts residents, is turning the proposals into a bills to bring to the Legislature by January, DeMaso said.

Previous reports have found similar problems in the mental health system, but this is the first time legislation has been proposed to change the system, he said.

"We've had enough with talk and good intentions," said Marylou Sudders, a coalition member president of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, said in a statement.

Sudders also cochairs a transition committee helping shape governor-elect Deval Patrick's human services policy.

The change in the governor's office makes it a good time to push for change, DeMaso said.

------

On the Web: http://www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom/Site1339/mainpageS1339P1sublevel266.html