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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 10, 2023 10:46 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Timothy P. Kearney and Sen. Steven J. Santarsiero |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Treatment for Eating Disorders |
| Soon I will re-introduce Senate Bill 1098 of the 2019-2020 Session aimed at improving access to effective care for thousands of Pennsylvanians who suffer from eating disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 American women struggle with a form of eating disorder, including but not limited to anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. Victims are often consumed by their disorder. Without treatment, up to 15% of individuals with eating disorders will die or suffer from long-term chronic illness. Too many victims do not receive the treatment they require and eating disorders are associated with some of the highest levels of medical and social disability of any psychiatric disorder. Often, insurance companies only cover treatment that focuses on raising patients to a minimally adequate weight and does not tackle the underlying psychological issues that cause the disorder. Without addressing these causal and maintaining factors, most patients will quickly lose weight and relapse. Effective treatment takes time and consistency. Many patients need intensive outpatient care and support to interrupt and eliminate symptomatic behaviors. However, because few insurance plans in Pennsylvania cover such programs and facilities beyond “minimally accepted treatment”, Pennsylvanians are denied access to the most effective and efficient treatment available. My bill requires that Pennsylvania’s insurers cover effective care for treating eating disorders and the underlying issues that cause them. Please join me in supporting this important legislation. If you have questions about this legislation, please contact Cameron Allen in my office at Cameron.allen@pasenate.com. |
Introduced as SB294