There's an expectation among those who have health insurance that their well-being will be considered. Sad to say, whether one is self-insured or has employer-based health care, this is not the case, which is why two bills currently are being considered by state lawmakers.

To anyone who has suffered from mental illness, the pain is as real as breaking a bone.

If you're getting a bit of "Groundhog Day" feeling, it just means you've been paying attention.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill into law nearly two years ago. It was to ensure that by January 2006, the co-pay for mental-health services would be the same as other medical services. Mental health drugs were also to be covered by insurance plans. But the current law excludes small-business and individual insurance plans, leaving roughly half a million people in our state out in the cold.

Senate Bill 5446 and House Bill 1460 -- which are supported by 142 organizations and 110 small businesses -- expand the scope of the current law, and not a moment too soon.

The notion that one's mental health isn't a major part of one's overall health is outdated and speaks to the stigma attached to mental illness. Not providing adequate care for a sickness such as anxiety depression can have tragic results. Even lesser consequences are costly. A 2000 study estimated that a worker suffering from an anxiety disorder is 16.5 percent less productive than a healthy worker.

There's no reason why small businesses and individual insurance plans shouldn't recognize those facts and offer mental health care parity.

Soundoff (Read 2 comments)
Tell us what's on your mind.

Should mental health be considered in a person's well-being?
67.4% Yes, in all respects	10.9% It's important but should not be a part of insurance
14.5% It's fine as long as tax dollars are not spent	5.1% No, in all respects
2.2% Don't know or don't care
Total Votes: 138