Two years ago I became involved with drafting legislation to address an issue for those who need our help. Although eating disorders are often swept to the side, there are a frightening number of people diagnosed with this disease every year. It is estimated that there are 24 million people in America today with some form of eating disorder and that only one in 10 people will receive treatment. Eating disorders also have the highest mortality rate of any other mental illness. I became involved in this cause when constituents in the 31st Senatorial District, John and Sandy Culp, tragically lost their daughter, Laura, to this devastating disease.
In 2005, a survey of 1,500 U.S. adults was conducted concerning eating disorders. This survey concluded that three out of four Americans believe eating disorders should be covered by insurance like any other disease. Americans believe that government should require insurance companies to cover eating disorder treatment, and four out 10 people have either suffered or known someone that has suffered from an eating disorder. With these factors in mind, I wanted to be able to offer what help I could to those that were not able to get the support they need for this problem.
In 2009, I sponsored two bills relating to eating disorders. In response to requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for eating disorders, I sponsored SB 229, which specified insurers would have to provide access to both psychiatric and medical treatment and provide coverage for treatments recommended by health care professionals. Also that year, I sponsored SB 192 which would have required the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) to develop a curriculum for continuing professional education in the field of eating disorders. Neither of these bills passed, but they did help lay the foundation for the following session.
In 2010, I sponsored SB 744, which included provisions requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for eating disorders. The bill would have also created the Missouri Eating Disorder Council within DMH. Even though the piece of legislation I drafted did not make it through The General Assembly, the Missouri Eating Disorder Council was created in SB 754, which was signed into law that same session. The council’s main goals are to oversee eating disorder education and awareness programs, identify if adequate treatment and/or diagnostic services are available in the state, and assist DMH in indentifying eating disorder research projects. Unfortunately, even after the creation of this council, the money was cut in the governor’s recent rounds of withholdings.
I am hopeful that these measures will affect the future and will help bring about awareness of this devastating and debilitating epidemic. If we do not give eating disorders the attention they deserve, the problem will continue to grow.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.
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