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E-News from Washington Vol. 04-01 February 20, 2004
Mental Health and Medical Community Rallies for Mental Health Parity Bill

Among the list of priority issues for the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) continues to be the passage of legislation to end the discrimination by private insurers against people with mental illnesses. In early January, nearly a hundred medical specialty associations – including many national and state medical societies – joined the mental health community in the fight for mental health parity. More than 360 organizations support parity legislation.

In addition, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (R-SD) has identified mental health parity legislation as a key priority for lawmakers to consider during the second session of the 108th Congress. Daschle’s statement comes nearly two years after President Bush called on Congress to pass a mental health parity bill that he could sign. Negotiations on the “Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act” (S. 486/H.R. 953) have repeatedly stalled, despite broad bipartisan support of the legislation. Currently, there are 68 cosponsors of the legislation in the Senate and 243 in the House of Representatives. 

The legislation would require group health plans that provide mental health benefits to do so without arbitrary limits different from limits on medical benefits. If passed and signed into law, health plans could not impose arbitrary durational limits on treatment or require patients to pay more out-of-pocket for their mental health benefits. Small businesses that employ 50 or fewer persons would be exempt from the law.

It is imperative that you contact your Members of Congress to help secure a House and Senate vote in early 2004. The U.S. Capitol switchboard can be reached at 202-224-3121 or 202-225-3121. To find the name of your U.S. Representative or Senators, visit www.congress.org. If you need additional information about this e-mail, please contact Beth Powell, Director of Public Policy and Professional Issues, at 800-326-2642, ext. 105 or at bpowell@amhca.org.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Beth Powell
Director, Public Policy and Professional Issues
American Mental Health Counselors Association
801 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 304
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: 800-326-2642, ext. 105
Phone: 703-548-6002, ext. 105
Fax: 703-548-4775
Website: www.amhca.org