New York Consolidated Laws, Mental Hygiene Law - MHY § 30.01 Legislative findings

The legislature hereby finds that effective diagnosis and treatment for citizens struggling with eating disorders, a complex and potentially life-threatening condition, requires a continuum of interdisciplinary providers and levels of care.  Such effective diagnosis and treatment further requires the coordination and comprehensive management of an individualized plan of care specifically oriented to the distinct needs of each individual.

The legislature further finds that, while there are numerous health care providers in the state with expertise in eating disorder treatment, there is no generally accessible, comprehensive system for responding to these disorders.  Due to the lack of such a system the legislature finds that treatment, information/referral, prevention and research activities are fragmented and incomplete.  In addition, due to the broad, multifaceted needs of individuals with eating disorders, insurance payments for the necessary plan of care and providers is usually fragmented as well, leaving citizens with insufficient coverage for essential services and, therefore, at risk of incomplete treatment, relapse, deterioration and potential death.

The legislature therefore declares that the state take positive action to facilitate the development and public identification of provider networks and care centers of excellence to provide a coordinated, comprehensive system for the treatment of such disorders, as well as to conduct community education, prevention, information/referral and research activities.  The legislature further declares that health coverage by insurers and health maintenance organizations should include covered services provided through such centers and that, to the extent possible and practicable, health plan reimbursement should be structured in a manner to facilitate the individualized, comprehensive and integrated plans of care which such centers are required to provide.