AOT (Tim's Law) doesn't have an "IN" patient ... it is before a person meets inpatient involuntary criterion.
AOT (Tim's Law) will help save lives and keep people out of the expensive revolving door!
Sheila Schuster of the Kentucky Mental Health Coalition testified before the House Health and Welfare Committee on Jan. 14, 2016, in favor of a bill that would let some mentally ill Kentuckians be ordered by judges into outpatient medical treatment. John Cheves jcheves@herald-leader.com
FRANKFORT
Tim Morton was hospitalized for psychiatric treatment dozens of times over 36 years, often involuntary and in police handcuffs, because he did not recognize that he had schizophrenia. He refused treatment unless he was confined. When Morton wasn’t held inside Eastern State Hospital, he spent his days walking aimlessly around downtown Lexington.
Like many mentally ill Kentuckians, Morton was neither dangerous enough to be kept in a hospital for long nor healthy enough to care for himself in the community. Malnourished, a heavy smoker, he was beaten at least once by a group of youths. He died in 2014 from long-neglected health problems. He was 56.
On Thursday, the House Health and Welfare Committee approved a bill to let some mentally ill Kentuckians be ordered by judges into outpatient medical treatment, a step shy of institutionalization, with public defenders representing them at hearings and caseworkers monitoring their daily progress. Part of the bill would be called “Tim’s Law,” for Tim Morton.
If successful, House Bill 94 would “keep people out of the revolving door of the hospital,” Sheila Schuster of the Kentucky Mental Health Coalition told the committee.
“Folks, I’m here to tell you that what we’re doing now simply does not work,” Schuster said.
Rep. Tom Burch, chairman of the House committee, said he suspects that most Kentucky families have at least one relative who suffered Morton’s fate, which Schuster related to the lawmakers.
Read more here:
IMPORTANT REQUEST ON HOW YOU CAN HELP FROM NAMI KY:
To All:
Our board and staff want to keep you informed on our advocacy efforts. As you know, we are working with the Kentucky Mental Health Coalition (KMHC) and other organizations to pass Tim's Law, HB 94, through the General Assembly in Frankfort.
For a bill to become law, it must first pass at least one legislative committee and Tim's Law passed the House Health & Welfare committee last week. This is a great first step, but there are more hurdles ahead. Tim's Law is now headed to the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee.
We need your help advocating for Tim's Law. Call 1-800-372-7181. Ask to leave a message for the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee. Then leave the following message:
--
My name is ______________ and I'm calling to ask that you support HB94, also known as Tim's Law. Tim's Law will help people in Kentucky who are currently unable to access effective treatment for mental illness. Outpatient treatment plans have proven successful in other states, and they would help families and individuals impacted by mental illness in Kentucky. Please support Tim's Law, HB94.
--
NAMI Kentucky's Advocacy Coordinator, Michael Gray, is in Frankfort throughout the week. If you have any questions, please call him at 270-348-0066.
