Baldwin Backs Landmark Bill to Expand Mental Health Coverage

Press Release

Baldwin Backs Landmark Bill to Expand Mental Health Coverage

Legislation Will Help End Discrimination against Patients with Mental Illnesses

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representative yesterday in passing landmark legislation that will help end discrimination against patients requiring treatment for mental illnesses. The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act (H.R.1424) was approved by a vote of 268-148.

"Mental illnesses are treatable diseases that affect millions of Americans each year," said Baldwin who cosponsored and strongly supported the legislation. "Unfortunately, many group health plans currently do not provide the same coverage for mental illnesses as they do for physical ailments. I'm proud to support this important legislation that will help end this practice and ensure more Americans get the care they need and deserve," she said.

The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN), prohibits group health plans from imposing treatment or financial limitations when they offer mental health benefits that are more restrictive than those applied to medical and surgical services.

The legislation applies only to group health plans that provide mental health benefits; and the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that this legislation will have a miniscule impact on health insurance premiums.

"Group health plans shouldn't get to cover some diseases and ignore others," added Congresswoman Baldwin. "This legislation will help end this form of discrimination."

The bill is backed by a diverse group of organizations including the American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, American Nurses Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Hispanic Medical Association, American Counseling Association, Families USA, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National Mental Health Awareness Campaign, and Mental Health America.

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