Statement on Governor David Paterson's Proposal to Make Timothy's Law Permanent

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 5, 2009

Statement by Senate Health Committee Chairman Thomas K. Duane

Regarding Governor David Paterson's Proposal to Make Timothy's Law Permanent

“While I commend Governor Paterson for taking the steps to make Timothy’s Law permanent, critical gaps in Timothy's Law's coverage remain. Compromises made at the time of Timothy's Law's passage deprived individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and chemical dependence of its protections. Our state law must also fully encompass all of New York State’s publicly accessible and publicly funded health care plans. The Federal Mental Health Parity provisions take effect in 2010. This law, combined with a permanent mental health parity law in New York State, will give us the best opportunity to make our state foremost in providing mental health coverage in the nation. This is New York’s challenge and I look forward to working with the Governor in making this the reality for our state.” -- State Senator Thomas K. Duane (D, WFP-Manhattan)