Mental Health Parity

by Mike Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, NAMI

In my last entry, I wrote about my hope for passage of the mental health insurance parity bill S 558, which the Senate passed unanimously in September.

I am very pleased to report that the House of Representatives has now passed its own parity bill (HR 1424) by a vote of 268 to 148.

Both bills require group health insurance plans to cover mental illness and substance abuse disorders on the same terms and conditions as other illnesses—with respect to the number of doctor visits, hospital stays, co-payments and other provisions.

We know that untreated mental illness costs American businesses, government and families more than $80 billion annually in lost productivity and unemployment.

We know that untreated mental illness can be devastating to individuals and families, and too often results in premature death or permanent disability.

But we also know that treatment for mental illness works—if you can get it.

There is strong support for parity, but there are important differences between the bills that must be resolved and we expect difficult negotiations.

For nearly 20 years, NAMI has been dedicated to equitable coverage of mental illness treatment. Congress has an historic opportunity to finally pass this important legislation and end insurance discrimination faced by people living with serious mental illness and their families.

The time is now to come to an agreement that can get through the House and the Senate and be signed by President Bush in 2008. We cannot wait any longer.