Bronx Times Reporter

Klein Rallies For Mental Health
BY Noah Fowle

Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz and Community Board 10 district manager James Vacca joined Hermes Caraballo and Michael Harris (front row, l-r) in a rally for Timothy's Law – PHOTO BY ANNA FOSTER/NF

In a push for greater parity in physical and mental health coverage, Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz were joined by other members of the Bronx community and mental illness survivors in a rally at the Bronx Psychiatric Center for Timothys Law on May 5.

Both Klein and Dinowitz helped push the bill through the Assembly in Albany last year, before it was stopped in the Senate. Now they are hoping for it to pass through both houses shortly and ensure that mental health patients are given the same coverage benefits by their insurance providers as patients who suffer from physical illness.

Timothy OClare was diagnosed with a depression disorder at only ten years old. After the cursory coverage for his ailment ran out, his parents were force to relinquish their son to the states foster care system in order to maintain his health coverage. When the separation only worsened his condition, they took him back and tried to pay for his psychiatric treatment and medicines with little help from their insurance provider. At 12 years old, OClare committed suicide. The rally was held on what would have been his 17th birthday.

Dr. Derek Suite, who runs Full Circle Health on Williamsbridge Road, refuses to turn patients away despite the fact that their insurance will not cover his services for a few months.

He said that Timothys Law must be passed soon so practices like his can continue to stay open and offer viable help to mentally ill patients.
Suite said that he and his staff have had to become innovative in cutting certain costs while maintaining proper healthcare for his patients.

Opened in 1999, Suite said that his practice has treated over 15,000 people. We cant cut back on patients in the middle of their treatment, he said. We are overwhelmed, but we still are meeting peoples needs. Suite was joined at the rally by one of his patients, Hermes Caraballo. A former employee of the borough presidents office, he was diagnosed with depression after he underwent open-heart surgery four years ago.

Although his coverage only allowed Caraballo ten visits with Suite, the doctor continued to treat him and was eventually able to get Caraballo to return to work. Its meant a drastic improvement for me, said Caraballo.

My condition is something that needs constant attention. Mental health is a lifelong issue. Caraballos daughter, Ruth, said that currently, all of her fathers physical therapy is covered by his insurance, while his psychiatric visits are not. Both are equally taxing, she said. On days that he feels crummy, he doesnt want to leave his bed and without regular exercise, his mobility is limited further. Michael Harris, who suffers from a neurological disorder that also limits his ability to move on his own, made a stirring call for those with mental and physical illness to be treated equally.

According to Assemblyman Peter Rivera, who sits on the States Mental Health Committee, his research shows that the cost increase associated with bringing parity to physical and mental health