At some time during their lives one out of five Americans will be diagnosed with some form of mental illness, fully 20 percent of the population. Included in this census are those who were born with brain disorders which may carry one or more of the following labels: mental retardation or autism. They face a life of discrimination from all manner of well-meaning people. Perhaps the one form of discrimination that is most unfair comes in health insurance.

Recent legislation notwithstanding, insurers continue to serve up separate deductibles and lower lifetime monetary limits of coverage than physical health. Health insurance parity passed by both the federal government and the Maine Legislature has not done much to reduce the unfairness. Insureres can simply change the way coverage is offered, wait until “the next board meeting,” or change names to escape giving additional benefits.

Because these children were born with disabilities that are considered “mental,” they must suffer a lifetime of being treated differently. They are the target of discrimination by strangers and family alike. They are called retard, dummy, and other names. They are unable to even fathom why they are singled out. This is true even among family members who assume that at least they’re happy.

Now, because of welfare reform, they are the target of financial discrimination. Many will be cut off from SSI benefits. This is based solely on the type of disability. Rumor has it that the next Legislature will look at ways to override the current insurance parity law, and families of these children will face even more financial hardship because of the increased cost of care. Of course, these children seldom make political donations, they have no political action committee, and they’re not old enough to vote — easy targets!

It may be legal for the CEO of an insurance company to be paid in the millions or hundreds of thousands of dollars, and of course it’s legal for the Legislature to vote in any way it sees fit. It’s up to the rest of us to speak out and put an end to this double whammy of discrimination. Politicians do read their mail, let’s each one of us make an effort to write, ask you legislator to say no to discrimination. Lawrence S. Grant Newburgh