Up to 30 million individuals in the United States suffer from an eating disorder. A large portion of those individuals live in our great state of Texas. In the 2013 Legislative session, HB3227 passed the House but was not scheduled to be heard in the Senate. This bill would have classified eating disorders as a serious mental illness under health insurance groups, affording the opportunity of life saving treatment to individuals in need. Anorexia nervosa is the most fatal mental disorder (with a 12% mortality rate) yet is not considered a serious mental illness. Does this make sense to anyone?

 The Texas Legislature has failed its citizens and was more concerned about the expenses that might arise. What many of our representatives and senators fail to understand is that appropriate treatment for eating disorders SAVES insurance companies and tax payer dollars by helping individuals return to normal functioning and becoming productive citizens. Individuals who are left untreated continue to visit emergency rooms, have low or no job performance, and face potential death. How does this benefit Texas?

Please join us and let our elected officials know how important it is to pass this much needed legislation in 2015! We need to come together. We need your help.

Your signature is a crucial step in providing individuals with eating disorders access to life-saving treatment.