[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 64 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MENTAL HEALTH CARE

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, last month, when the Senate passed 
the Domenici-Wellstone mental health parity amendment by an 
overwhelming vote of 68 to 30, during our deliberations on the health 
insurance reform legislation, it was, in my judgment, a historic 
occasion.
  Since President Jimmy Carter established his Commission on Mental 
Health, it has been clear to a number of us that, eventually, it would 
be in our Nation's best interest to ensure that those afflicted with 
mental illness are treated in the same manner as those afflicted with 
any other physical ailment. Unfortunately, probably primarily due to 
the stigma long attached to receiving mental health care, this has been 
a long and difficult process.
  As I listened to the debate that Thursday evening and watched our 
colleagues vote, I kept thinking to myself how one individual, Senator 
Domenici, truly made a difference in the lives of our Nation's 
citizens. During the years we have served together in the U.S. Senate, 
I have been very pleased to work closely with him in a number of 
capacities, for example on the various Senate Appropriations 
subcommittees and, most recently, on behalf of our Nation's Native 
Americans.
  Throughout our deliberations, our colleague has always made 
explicitly clear the importance of ensuring that the Congress and the 
administration, and ultimately the private sector, must, in fact, treat 
those afflicted with mental illness and their families in a humane and 
compassionate manner. Senator Domenici was willing to share with us his 
personal family experiences. I have no doubt that his resolve and 
persistence are the reasons that most of us voted on behalf of this 
important amendment.
  I sincerely hope that the House-Senate conferees will ultimately 
accept the provisions of the Domenici-Wellstone amendment, as it 
represents excellent public policy. However, at this point, I just 
wanted to share my appreciation with my colleagues for the Senator from 
New Mexico's efforts over the years--he is truly the consummate public 
servant. All of us can learn from his dedication.

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