Senate Passes Mental Health Parity Amendment

E-News from Washington October 31, 2001 Vol. 01-26
Senate Passes Mental Health Parity Amendment

We did it!!! AMHCA is pleased to inform you that yesterday evening, the U.S. Senate passed the Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act, by voice vote, as an amendment to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Act. Many thanks to each of you who called and e-mailed your Senators urging support for the amendment.

The amendment was offered by Senators. Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN), chief sponsors of the legislation, and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Fortunately, weakening amendments expected to be offered were withdrawn due to the overwhelming support for the parity amendment. The parity amendment will now be considered by a conference committee, where differences in the House and Senate passed versions of the appropriations bill must be resolved.

In a press release issued following the vote, Sen. Domenici stated, "It is long overdue and the right thing to do for the millions of Americans suffering from a mental illness." It is also important that AMHCA members and other mental health advocates take note of Sen. Wellstone's warning that "this fight is far from over. We must continue our vigilance to ensure that this provision remains throughout the conference process. I am confident
that the President will not miss this opportunity to stand in support of the millions of Americans who will benefit from this historic law."

What You Can Do
Our work is far from over! Contact your senators and representative and request their support for retaining the mental health parity provision in the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill. Both the President and House and Senate leaders will be pushing to complete action on the Labor-HHS-Education spending bill as quickly as possible. Thus, time is of the essence.

As the recent discovery of anthrax in several congressional office buildings has significantly disrupted the operation of many House and Senate offices, it is preferable that you contact members in their district and state offices. Therefore, we strong encourage you to contact the district and state offices for your members, which are listed in the Federal Government sections in the "Blue Pages" in your local phone book. If you choose to send an e-mail, AMHCA encourages you to include your local address to ensure that stand understand that you are a constituent.

If you don't know who your representative or senators are, visit AMHCA's website at http://www.amhca.org and click on the Public Policy button. In the Zip and Go section, type in your zip code. A screen with the federal elected officials for your state will appear. You can also e-mail your representative from this screen.

To Call:
* Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your representative and senator's offices.

AMHCA will monitor the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act as it moves forward in the legislative process and will alert its member when additional grassroots action is needed.

If you have any questions concerning this or any other issue, please feel free to contact Beth Powell, Director of Public Policy and Professional Issues, at 800-326-2642, ext. 105 or by e-mail at bpowell@amhca.org.

The information provided on this website should not be construed as advice or instruction on specific mental health or medical conditions or for specific mental health referrals. It is intended as an informational tool only. You should consult a healthcare professional regarding health issues and advice on treatment. To view our complete disclaimer CLICK HERE.

E-News from Washington October 31, 2001 Vol. 01-26 Senate Passes Mental Health Parity Amendment

E-News from Washington October 31, 2001 Vol. 01-26
Senate Passes Mental Health Parity Amendment