April 2004 Action Alert - Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act

Federal Legislation:

S. 486 - Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act

Status: Health, Education , Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee

This legislation, sponsored by Senators Domenici (R-NM) and Kennedy (D-MA), expands the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 by prohibiting group health plans from imposing treatment limitations or additional co-payments on the coverage of serious mental illness. Mental illness is the second leading cause of disability and premature death in the U.S. Mental health parity is a fair and affordable solution that will save lives and families.

With a shorter session this year, the Senate must act on parity soon or it will not pass in 2004. Parity supporters have set up a toll-free hotline to maximize support for the bill. If you are interested in supporting this bill, you can call the Congressional switchboard at 1-866-Parity4 (1-866-727-4894) and ask to speak with your Senators. Let them know that you support S.486 and you want them to urge Senators Frist (R-TN) and Gregg (R-NH), Chairman of the H.E.L.P.Committee, to make mental health parity legislation a top priority for passage in 2004. In addition, you can encourage your family, friends and colleagues from around the country to call their Senators in support of S. 486.

STAND UP, SPEAK UP and ACT UP!