By Kevin Tustin STAFF WRITER

Medical professionals and mental health advocates testified Wednesday afternoon before the Democratic Policy Committee asking to bring reform to mental health coverage in the state.

Rep. Margo Davidson, D-164, of Upper Darby, hosted the hearing in the council chambers of the Upper Darby Municipal Building, joined by policy committee Chair Mike Sturla, D-96, of Lancaster, and other state leaders to discuss better access and treatment for those with a mental health diagnosis.

We have to fix this system, said Davison, there has to be parity so people have access to deal with their brain disease and brain illness.

As Davidson reminded committee and audience members that because her son, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, didnt fall into one of the insurance companys three boxes - hospitalization, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient she had to fight nine months with her insurance company to allow him to get the level of care he needed when first diagnosed.

It was a nightmare from start to finish, Davidson said.

Of those to testify before the committee was Alyssa Goodin, director of policy and advocacy at the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, who spoke at length about proper care for those who need it.

One of the most expansive ways we can increase access to behavioral health services is through the acceptance of federal dollars to expand our current Medicaid program, said Alyssa Goodin, director of policy and advocacy of mental at the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Goodin stated that Medicaid expansion will not only be beneficial to the states economy and job growth, but that its a safety net for those whose insurance doesnt cover comprehensive behavioral health coverage.

Currently, Gov. Corbett has not yet expanded Medicaid in the state, instead proposing his own alternative called Healthy Pennsylvania, what promotional materials on the states website calls a common sense approach to reforming Medicaid.

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Local officials work together to reform mental health care