Women in Secularism conference

[zvi]

FEMINISM AND SECULARISM.
Given the role religion has played in the repression of women, they would seem to be natural allies, and, indeed, many feminists have been outspoken and influential secularists. However, the relationship between secularism and women’s issues remains largely unexamined.

UNTIL NOW.
Join us on May 18-20, 2012, for the “Women in Secularism” conference, sponsored by the Center for Inquiry. This historic conference will discuss and celebrate the many contributions women have made to the secular movement, while critically examining both the successes and failures of secularism in addressing women’s concerns.

May 18–20, 2012
Crystal City Marriott
Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia

Maryland Parity Project: How to Fight for Your Mental Health Benefits

[white_aster]

I saw a presentation by the Mental Health Association of MD the other week, and thought I'd pass this along. The MHAMD folks are a nonprofit advocating for increased mental health care, public policy changes, outreach, and education about mental health issues. The MHAMD is currently actively looking to help folks on behalf of the Maryland Parity Project.

The Maryland Parity Project "works to educate insured Marylanders of their new rights in accessing mental health and addiction treatment under The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008."

Recently there have been changes in the laws regulating how insurers cover mental health services as opposed to other health services. From the presentation I saw, the idea is that if your insurer covers mental health care, then it cannot treat mental health services any differently (in treatment caps, copays, etc.) than any other kind of health service. You'll need to contact someone for help or read the fine print in the documents linked below to determine if your insurance is covered by the new laws.

The presenter specifically told us that if we knew of anyone who was having problems getting the mental health benefits they were entitled to under their insurance that we send them their way. For more information, here are some handouts with more detailed info. Also, you can contact the MHAMD and the Maryland Parity Projects through their websites.

Please signal boost!