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BOSTON — Tuesday’s signing ceremony for the state’s new mental health law was more than just celebrating another legislative achievement for Senate President Karen Spilka. It was also proof that a childhood of untreated mental health issues by parents was worth it.
Years ago, in what she called a “moment of vulnerability and honesty,” the Ashland Democrat decided to go public with her family’s struggle with mental illness. Her father suffered from severe mental health issues after serving in World War II, but she said he didn’t seek help because of the stigma associated with it.
When they couldn’t convince her father to seek help, Spilka said she and her mother sought counseling, and as a teenager she had to treat the pain by hiding Haldol in her father’s food.
“Many nights I let my little brother sleep in the room with me because I was afraid if I let him sleep in the morning he wouldn’t be alive,” Spilka said in 2020.
Addressing a packed Senate reading room Tuesday after Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a new Massachusetts law aimed at promoting mental health on the same footing as physical health and making treatment more accessible, the job of finding the Senate president until then was “a bittersweet gift from my father’s legacy.”
“I truly believe that if it wasn’t for everything I experienced growing up, I wouldn’t be a senator, let alone president of the Senate,” she said. “And I have to say that this was a personal interest for me. And seeing all of you today, seeing my colleagues in state government (as well as) this bill being signed, it makes sense, it makes sense. It’s something I’ve fought for in the legislature for 20 years. Sometimes here. We know they will go slowly, but it will be over time. Thank you.
The new law mandates insurance coverage for an annual mental health exam similar to an annual physical; The emergency department wants to manage the board problem; Eliminates the prior authorization requirement for acute mental health treatment; and requires commercial insurers to cover emergency services programs.
State Rep. Adrian Madaro, D-Boston, who negotiated the final bill with state Sen. Julian Sr., D-Truro, said, “This bill contains key provisions that we can all be proud of. “And as mentioned earlier, there is no doubt that there is no corner of the family and community building that has not been touched by these issues. With this move, Massachusetts will continue to ensure that it remains a leader in all forms of health care. “
House Speaker Ronald Mariano called the bill “one of the best mental health bills you’ll see in the country” and said it was an honor to see it become law.
Baker, who highlighted the work that Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Suders has done, including mental health reforms, said the new law is basically taking the steps necessary to “get to where we are at what I would describe as true equality.” Mental health services here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
“You know, that word means a lot to a lot of people,” the governor continued. And I think one of the things we’ve all learned over the years is that equality is in the eye of the beholder, and the most important thing this bill does is bring us closer to a point. Equality really means equality, which means getting behavioral health and mental health services the same way, with the same access and the same commitment to all types of health care here in the Commonwealth.
Baker said he’s “excited to see this big and positive step in the right direction for everyone in Massachusetts who suffers from this devastating and debilitating disease.”
“And I couldn’t be happier with my last job working with my colleagues in the Legislature — and I’m counting on a couple more to see this piece of legislation succeed,” he said.
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