September 17, 2004

LIEN LAW MOVES FORWARD

In a victory for advocates A779, The Lien Law, unanimously passed the Assembly Family, Women and Children's Services Committee on Monday, September 13th. This law would reform the discriminatory practice of placing automatic liens for the full cost of care on individuals hospitalized at state and county psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey. In its place individuals would be charged based on their ability to pay using the Charity Care sliding fee scale.

ACTION NEEDED

There are several hurdles that must be crossed before this bill can become law. In the Assembly A779 now goes to the Appropriations Committee. In the Senate the bill, S880, is awaiting action in the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. Advocates must contact the committee chairpersons and implore them to schedule A779 in the Assembly and S880 in the Senate for hearings.

FOR A779 CONTACT THE APPROPRITIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR:

Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, 226 W. State St., Trenton, NJ 08608 (609)-292-0500, http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/watson.asp

FOR S 880 CONTACT THE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE CHAIR:

Senator Joseph F. Vitale, 87 Main St., Woodbridge, NJ 07095 (732)-855-7441, http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/vitale.asp

SAMPLE LETTER (Feel free to personalize the letter as you see fit)

Dear

I am writing to request that you post A779/S880 for a hearing as soon as possible so that we may end the discriminatory practice of placing automatic liens for the full cost of care on individuals who are hospitalized at state and county psychiatric hospitals. New Jersey has developed the uncompensated care fund or charity care to treat those with any other illness who are uninsured or unable to afford care. It is only for the treatment of a mental illness at a state or county psychiatric hospital that patients, their parents under age 55 and their spouses whether living together or apart remain liable for the full cost of these hospitalizations. Thousands of people are impacted each year by this anachronistic 1918 law that is left over from an era when we warehoused our unwanted in massive institutions.

Having a mental illness in the family comes with many burdens for the individual with the illness and for family caretakers. New Jersey should have an official state policy to support those who are struggling every day to overcome these debilitating illnesses not one that adds additional burdens. A779/S880 has gained widespread support because ending these inequities is the right thing to do and the right time to do it is now. In your role as committee chair you have the ability to end the injustices caused by this law by scheduling this legislation for a hearing as soon as possible. I am asking for your support in repealing the law once and for all so that we may treat a mental illness the same as any other illness.

Thank you for your attention and support.

Sincerely,

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NAMI NEW JERSEY brings you the second annual walkathon for mental illness on Sunday, October 10th at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey. Come Walk with us and raise awareness about the issue of mental illness and the toll it takes on individuals and families.

http://www.naminj.org/events/Walk2004/walk_04.html