For Immediate Release
September 23, 2008 |
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Cullen Schwarz
Office: 202.225.4961
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House Approves Measure to
Strengthen Mental Health Care
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Legislation will Strengthen Mental Health Coverage
and Add Addiction Treatment
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(Washington D.C.)- The House of Representatives today passed legislation to strengthen mental health care and reduce barriers to treatment in the current health care system. H.R. 6983, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, was approved by a vote of 376-47. The legislation permanently reauthorizes and expands the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 to make mental health coverage and substance addiction treatment more accessible and affordable.
“Twelve years ago, the Congress and President Clinton came together to pass the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 to put the country on the road to mental health parity. It was a vital first step. The legislation passed today takes another important step toward genuine mental health parity,” said Rep. Levin. “It is another milestone in the long battle that must be continued until everyone has full access to mental health services in our nation.”
Under the current system, a person with health insurance coverage seeking mental health services may have to wait months to get an appointment with a practitioner in his or her insurance plan’s network, or have to pay excessively high out-of-pocket costs for mental health care. This legislation prohibits group health plans with 51 or more members that offer mental health benefits from requiring beneficiaries to pay more out-of-pocket than they would pay for medical and surgical benefits. The bill also requires insurance plans that cover mental health benefits to cover the entire spectrum of disorders so that treatment for conditions like substance abuse will be covered.
About one quarter of American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. One in seventeen suffers from a serious mental illness that significantly impacts his or her ability to function. However, only 28% of people with diagnosable mental disorders currently receive treatment. This means the majority of those with a diagnosable mental disorder are not receiving treatment.
“Fifteen percent of Americans have no health insurance at all. Even Americans who do have health insurance often find themselves unable to receive care because of discriminatory policies in their health plans that require them to pay more and receive less for mental health care than for other services,” said Rep. Levin. “This bill will change that.”
The legislation will be sent to the United States Senate which is also actively working on mental health parity legislation. Both chambers hope to get a final bill to President Bush before Congress adjourns.
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To Contact Congressman Levin: -
Email Congressman Levin In Michigan: 27085 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, MI 48066 | (586) 498-7122 | (248) 968-2025
In Washington: 1236 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 | (202) 225-4961
