A Threat To Mental

Health Services

To the Editor:

A bill has been introduced to the Insurance Committee of the Connecticut State Legislature in Hartford which seeks to eliminate Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselors from receiving payment from health insurance companies for mental health services they provide to the residents of Connecticut. This bill could come up for a vote this week, which if it passes, would then go to the House and Senate for a vote.

Without the ability to utilize their insurance for mental health services from master’s level therapists, many individuals will be unable to afford outpatient mental health care. Passage of this bill would adversely affect not only clients but the jobs of thousands of licensed professionals in Connecticut who deliver quality mental health services.

We are writing this to inform both the public and therapists who might not know of this bill. We are requesting that everyone contact their local representatives by e-mail asking them to talk to the legislators on the insurance committee asking them to oppose Senate Bill 309. You can send a message with just one e-mail to all of the legislators on the insurance committee and in your local district by logging on to www.ctn.state.ct.us and clicking on Contact My Legislators. Contacting your legislators is essential to preserving this mandate requiring insurance companies to pay for outpatient mental health services from master’s level clinicians.

Vikki Carlson, LPC

Bette Kolodney, PhD, LMFT, LADC

53 Copper Creek Circle, Newtown                              March 12, 2008