2006 New York Code - Legislative Findings.

 
    §  2799-d.  Legislative  findings.  The  legislature hereby finds that
  effective diagnosis and treatment for citizens  struggling  with  eating
  disorders,   a   complex  and  potentially  life-threatening  condition,
  requires a continuum of interdisciplinary providers and levels of  care.
  Such effective diagnosis and treatment further requires the coordination
  and   comprehensive   management  of  an  individualized  plan  of  care
  specifically oriented to the distinct needs of each individual.
    The legislature further finds that, while there  are  numerous  health
  care providers in the state with expertise in eating disorder treatment,
  there is no generally accessible, comprehensive system for responding to
  these  disorders. Due to the lack of such a system the legislature finds
  that treatment, information/referral, prevention and research activities
  are  fragmented  and  incomplete.  In  addition,  due  to   the   broad,
  multifaceted  needs  of  individuals  with  eating  disorders, insurance
  payments for the  necessary  plan  of  care  and  providers  is  usually
  fragmented  as  well,  leaving  citizens  with insufficient coverage for
  essential services and, therefore,  at  risk  of  incomplete  treatment,
  relapse, deterioration and potential death.
    The legislature therefore declares that the state take positive action
  to  facilitate  the  development  and  public identification of provider
  networks and care  centers  of  excellence  to  provide  a  coordinated,
  comprehensive  system for the treatment of such disorders, as well as to
  conduct  community  education,  prevention,   information/referral   and
  research  activities.  The  legislature  further  declares  that  health
  coverage by insurers and health maintenance organizations should include
  covered services provided through such centers and that, to  the  extent
  possible and practicable, health plan reimbursement should be structured
  in   a  manner  to  facilitate  the  individualized,  comprehensive  and
  integrated plans of care which such centers are required to provide.