Crackpot scheme. (Correction, Please!).ITEM: Saying "mental health insurance parity is long overdue," the Tallahassee Times-Democratfor May 2nd accused the insurance industry of perpetuating "second-class treatment for people suffering from mental disorders mental disorders: see bipolar disorder; paranoia; psychiatry; psychosis; schizophrenia. ." Sure, the Florida paper admitted, "mental health parity would cost more." But it dismissed one estimate of $23 billion in additional annual costs: "Employers and employees would recoup recoup To sell an asset at a price sufficient to recover the original outlay or to offset a previous loss. at least that much, probably much more, as affordable mental health coverage significantly reduces lost work time." CORRECTION: It's preposterous to contend that greater expenses will be an economic blessing. If that were the case, employers would repeatedly demand more federal mandates. Extra coverage means extra costs. In 1965, there were but six national health-care mandates, while there are now more than 1,000. Employees don't get something for nothing. Higher rates are the result, since insurers pass along the extra expenses. The uninsured say the main reason they're without coverage is its expense, but this mandate will make coverage more costly, leading to more uninsured. Any increase in the uninsured, in turn, will be blamed on the free market and cited as an excuse for nationalizing health care. The Senate (Domenici-Wellstone) parity bill pushes the outer limits of federal "compassion." It would require coverage of every vague disorder in the 941-page Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health -- including jet lag jet lag Period of adjustment of biological rhythm after moving from one time zone to another, experienced as fatigue and lowered efficiency. It reflects a delay in the synchronization of changes in the level of blood cortisol, the major steroid produced by the adrenal cortex , spiritual crises, academic problems, and even caffeine intoxication Noun 1. caffeine intoxication - poisoning resulting from excessive intake of caffeine containing products caffeinism intoxication, poisoning, toxic condition - the physiological state produced by a poison or other toxic substance . But even this won't be able to rein in to check the speed of, or cause to stop, by drawing the reins. to cause (a person) to slow down or cease some activity; - to rein in is used commonly of superiors in a chain of command, ordering a subordinate to moderate or cease some activity deemed excessive. See also: Rein Rein the insanity insanity, mental disorder of such severity as to render its victim incapable of managing his affairs or of conforming to social standards. Today, the term insanity is used chiefly in criminal law, to denote mental aberrations or defects that may relieve a person from on Capitol Hill. |
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