[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 50 (Monday, April 29, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3484-S3485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MENTAL HEALTH PARITY MOVEMENT

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to express my appreciation 
to President Bush for his commitment to bringing insurance parity to 
people with mental illness.
  As a long time supporter of mental health parity legislation in the 
Senate, I found his statement today in New Mexico to be a breath of 
fresh air in a debate that has languished for too long here in 
Washington.
  I will always believe that when it comes to health insurance 
coverage, mental illness should be treated like any physical ailment. 
Unfortunately, those suffering from mental health disorders have for 
years suffered undue discrimination at the hands of insurers who force 
them to pay higher costs than patients suffering from physical 
ailments.
  I believe there simply is no scientific, clinical, fiscal or ethical 
reason for this discrimination.
  I applaud President Bush for his commitment to ending it and leveling 
the health care playing field to require equal access to psychiatric 
treatment and care.
  As President Bush pointed out today in New Mexico, people suffering 
from severe and persistent mental problems don't suffer alone. Their 
illness affects their families and loved ones, and even our country
  It is incredibly painful to watch someone you love struggle with an 
illness that affects their mind, their feelings and their relationships 
with others, and that difficulty is only exacerbated when care and 
treatment options are denied or placed out of reach due to high costs.
  Remarkable treatments exist, yet many people--too many people in my

[[Page S3485]]

view--remain untreated because insurance discrimination limits their 
access.
  I am glad the President has asked all Americans for a commitment to 
bridge the insurance divide between people who are physically and 
mentally ill. Americans with mental illness deserve our attention. I 
believe we can and should this year act on mental health parity 
legislation that bridges those coverage chasms and also controls new 
health care costs.
  For my part, I intend to continue working with my friend and 
colleague, Senator Domenici, on this important issue to ensure that 
nondiscrimination is the law of the land. We can do this in a 
bipartisan, fiscally responsible way, and I look forward to getting it 
done this year.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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