few treatment options when uninsured

Back in 2001 I was diagnosed with a fairly serious illness.

At the time I was living in Massachusetts working and attending grad school. The illness eventually got bad enough that I decided to move home to California to get some much needed rest and rejuvenation (thanks mom and dad).

Because I was not working I did not automatically qualify for any health insurance. And because of my pre-existing illness, I was disqualified from pretty much any other insurance company.

And so I had a little taste of what it is like to navigate health care in American without insurance -- when I really needed good healthcare.

Still, what I endured for a year is nothing compared to what many Americans endure in a lifetime.

"Nearly 47 million Americans, or 16 percent of the population, were without health insurance in 2005, the latest government data available." (DeNavas-Walt, C.B. Proctor, and J. Smith. 2006)

Finding quality, cost effective mental health services without health insurance seems extremely difficult. There are state resources (thankfully!), but they are limited and because of a lack of resources they are not always able to give the best of care (remember that article in the Atlanta Journal I told you about?).

Folks with mental health difficulties often do not have health insurance. Frequently they do not have health insurance because their mental illness prevents them from being stable with good jobs.

Those with the greatest needs have the least access to treatment and services.

That really bothers me.

Yet, I'm not sure what I can do to make a difference.

Any ideas?