Mental Health Parity - Call to Action

For more than twelve years, mental health parity – the requirement for health insurance to cover mental illnesses at the same levels as physical illnesses – has been a topic of political discussion when the first Mental Health Parity Act was introduced by Senator Paul Wellstone now deceased. There have been provisional bills past as well as many revisions and iterations of related legislation. Many states have enacted their own laws, but to date there has not been a ratified act.

In June, I blogged on this topic noting that the House and Senate had both approved versions of the legislation, and President Bush had indicated that he supports the principle of mental-health parity. However, the bill still has not moved forward.

Add your voice to those demanding action in Congress on mental illness insurance parity. On Wednesday, September 10, advocates will be calling their U.S. Representative and Senators urging passage of the legislation requiring equitable coverage of mental illness treatment by group health plans.

Call the toll-free Parity Hotline: 1-866-PARITY4 (1-866-727-4894) tomorrow, Wednesday, September 10. The Parity Hotline reaches the U.S. Capitol switchboard, which can connect callers to the offices of their members of Congress – both House and Senate. Urge your members of Congress: "Don’t adjourn for the year without passing mental illness insurance parity (HR 1424-S 558)."

You can find more information about this through the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I will be making the call tomorrow. I hope you do to!
~ Kimberly