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Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008

Date: Sept. 23, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care


PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - September 23, 2008)

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the passage of H.R. 6983, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, a comprehensive bill which will establish full mental health and addiction care parity.

We live in a time when discrimination in any form against any person should not be tolerated. One out of every five adults in the U.S. suffers from mental health or substance abuse disorders on an annual basis, and yet studies show that people with mental illnesses continue to face insurers and employers unwilling to provide them the same level of care they would for a medical problem.

The legislation before us will fully ensure equity in the coverage for mental illness and substance abuse disorders by requiring that group health plans with mental health coverage offer that coverage without the imposition of discriminatory financial requirements or discriminatory treatment limitations.

I want to recognize two of my colleagues, Representative Patrick Kennedy and Representative Jim Ramstad, who have worked tirelessly to bring this bill to the floor. We can't delay any longer. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the passage of this important legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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