§ 30.01 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.