House passes Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007

[babylonsister]

House Passes Equity Bill For Mental Health Coverage

Associated Press
Thursday, March 6, 2008; Page A08


The House voted yesterday to require equal health insurance coverage for mental and physical illnesses when policies cover both.

The 268 to 148 roll call was cheered by advocates who have been fighting more than a decade for what has come to be called mental health parity.

Supporters said the measure would help end the stigma of mental illness and create greater access for people needing mental health and addiction treatment.

Opponents warned that it could drive up health-care costs and force some employers to drop coverage.

The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 was named for the late Democratic senator from Minnesota who championed the issue for years and who died in a 2002 plane crash.

"It's a historic step," said the late senator's son, David, 42. "It's a civil rights bill for people with mental illnesses and chemical addiction. It forces insurance companies to treat them as they treat others."

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/05/AR2008030503967.html

[LeftCoast]

1. This is great news!

I hope that foul excuse for a President doesn't veto it.

[0007]

3. A foul fucker is a 'chicken shit' and he junior may veto it.

[k8conant]

2. It's about time!

When I started working for the US government in 1979, there was parity in the federal health benefits.

That parity died under Ronald Reagan.

[davekriss]

4. Question

Does this mean, "...require equal health insurance coverage for mental and physical illnesses when policies cover both", that a simple way for a business to avoid the extra expense that would be required to raise mental and addictive coverage to parity is to drop it? Leaving those in need of the minimal coverage available today may lose it? That's not helpful.

[midnight]

5. This is amazing news. After all the telecome spying they "congress"

heard first hand that mental treatment of the American population was needed. P.S. Opponents warned that it could drive up health-care costs and force some employers to drop coverage.

[SoCalDem]

6. Passing legislation like this is good..BUT

Watch them not fund it..

[Kitty Herder]

7. It's about time. nt