I'm writing to express my concerns about the current mental health crisis in the State of New York, and I'm calling on the New York State Attorney General to investigate this issue. Unfortunately, I have personally been affected by this crisis. In September of 2023, my mother passed away after battling lung cancer for five months. Since her passing, I've been struggling with major anxiety.

In my search for help, I have reached out to over 20 psychiatrists and therapists. However, I have been disappointed to learn that they do not accept Medicare D-SNP plans or other Medicare plans. Additionally, the fees they charge for their services range from $150 to $300 per session, which is beyond my financial means. Feeling desperate for assistance, I decided to contact NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia Doctors and Mount Sinai Health System, as their website claimed they accept insurance. Unfortunately, I was informed that they no longer accept insurance and instead want to charge anywhere between $150 and $1000 per session. I also attempted to contact Garnet Health Medical Center's counseling, but they have not been taking new patients for 13 months.

Feeling defeated, I sought guidance from an Internal Medicine doctor who shed some light on the situation. They explained that the lack of affordable options for psychiatric help is one of the reasons why people are resorting to taking their own lives. It's disheartening to see these large medical groups prioritizing patients who can afford to pay out-of-pocket, while neglecting those who are financially disadvantaged.

It is of utmost importance that the New York State Governor and the Attorney General thoroughly investigate this problem. New York State must do better in ensuring that low-income individuals have access to the psychiatric help and therapy they need. These medical groups should be held accountable for abandoning those who cannot afford their exorbitant fees, and instead, they should prioritize providing care to individuals from all income levels.

James Sullivan

Rock Tavern