For Immediate Release
September 23, 2008 |
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Levin Statement on the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
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(Washington D.C.)- U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) made the following floor statement in support of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
Mr. Speaker, I first became involved with mental health services over 50 years ago when my beloved late wife, Vicki, worked in the network of child guidance clinics in Oakland County, Michigan. Those clinics tried to fill huge gaps in mental health services which in most cases were not covered by any insurance.
Since then the battle has ensued to provide mental health services on a parity with all other services in health insurance, private and public, including Medicare.
Twelve years ago, Congress and President Clinton came together to approve legislation that put this country on the road to mental health parity. It was a vital first step.
Today, we take another important step towards genuine mental health parity. 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. This bill will change that.
This bill is another milestone in the long battle that must continue until everyone has full access to mental health services in our beloved Nation.
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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
