N.Y. Mental Hygiene Law § 30.01: Legislative findings

§ 30.01 Legislative findings.

The legislature hereby finds that effective diagnosis and treatment

for citizens struggling with eating disorders, a complex and potentially

life-threatening condition, requires a continuum of interdisciplinary

providers and levels of care. Such effective diagnosis and treatment

further requires the coordination and comprehensive management of an

individualized plan of care specifically oriented to the distinct needs

of each individual.

The legislature further finds that, while there are numerous health

care providers in the state with expertise in eating disorder treatment,

there is no generally accessible, comprehensive system for responding to

these disorders. Due to the lack of such a system the legislature finds

that treatment, information/referral, prevention and research activities

are fragmented and incomplete. In addition, due to the broad,

multifaceted needs of individuals with eating disorders, insurance

payments for the necessary plan of care and providers is usually

fragmented as well, leaving citizens with insufficient coverage for

essential services and, therefore, at risk of incomplete treatment,

relapse, deterioration and potential death.

The legislature therefore declares that the state take positive action

to facilitate the development and public identification of provider

networks and care centers of excellence to provide a coordinated,

comprehensive system for the treatment of such disorders, as well as to

conduct community education, prevention, information/referral and

research activities. The legislature further declares that health

coverage by insurers and health maintenance organizations should include

covered services provided through such centers and that, to the extent

possible and practicable, health plan reimbursement should be structured

in a manner to facilitate the individualized, comprehensive and

integrated plans of care which such centers are required to provide.