The state’s program for children’s health insurance should be expanded to include mental health parity

Last Labor Day weekend, Maine was shocked when four people were brutally killed in Newry. Christian Nielsen, who has been charged with these crimes, has recounted “being aware, but strangely untroubled by his actions.”

Earlier this year, at Virginia Tech, Cho Seung-Ho slaughtered 33 people.

In the aftermath of these tragedies, the usual emotions follow: anguish, distress, and, ultimately, disbelief. How does it happen? Could it have been stopped?

So why don’t we talk more about prevention?

Both these young men had a history of mental health problems. In changing his client’s plea to “not criminally responsible,” Nielsen’s lawyer cited a long history of mental health problems. We also know Cho Seung-Ho spent time in a mental health facility.

As a law enforcement officer, I deal with troubled kids every day. Most will never commit a violent crime. But mental illness is a disease. And like any other disease, it could progress and worsen if left untreated.

Right now, Congress is considering changes to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, (SCHIP). SCHIP provides health insurance to children from low-income working families who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to pay for private health insurance. In Maine, 14,850 children are enrolled in the program.

On Sept. 30, the SCHIP program expires. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, has proposed a substantial increase in federal funding of $50 billion over five years. This would ensure more eligible children, not currently enrolled in SCHIP, get coverage. We also need to ensure that kids covered by SCHIP get the services they need.

One change being considered to SCHIP is mental health parity. Mental health parity would close the coverage gap between mental health care and physical health care. We are fortunate that in Maine, kids enrolled in SCHIP are eligible for many effective interventions proven to help treat kids with behavioral or emotional problems and prevent later violence.

But that is not the case in many states, which restrict or limit the amount of mental health coverage children enrolled in SCHIP receive. As a result, a family dealing with a schizophrenic child may get less financial help than if their child suffered from diabetes.

And, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, children from low-income families – the ones eligible for SCHIP – exhibit the highest rate of mental health problems.

I believe Sen. Olympia Snowe will use her position on the Senate Finance Committee to continue to play a leadership role on SCHIP reauthorization so that more children receive needed health insurance.

I also urge her to make mental health parity a part of the new bill so that children in all states, not just Maine, will be eligible to receive needed mental health services.

Wayne Gallant is sheriff of Oxford County.