[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 74 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       MENTAL HEALTH PARITY NOW!

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2002

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, The National Mental Health Association's, 
NMHA, powerful vision for our country is to be a just, humane and 
healthy society in which all people are accorded respect, dignity and 
the opportunity to achieve their full potential free from stigma and 
prejudice.
  Today, June 6, 2002, Americans are rallying on Capitol Hill to send 
Members of Congress a clear and unified message: Mental Health Parity 
Now! We must do more than simply hear what they are saying; we must 
persevere until we make it a legal reality.
  Passage of a Mental Health Parity Bill would be a major step toward 
realizing the vision of the NMHA. Specifically, it is my hope that this 
Congress will pass the Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2002, 
which will address the critical need of assuring that insurance 
coverage for physical ailments and mental ailments are comparable. 
Mental illness is real and widespread, but fortunately it is often very 
treatable and manageable.
  Unfortunately, a parity amendment to the fiscal year 2002 spending 
bill for the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and 
Education, which was passed by the Senate, failed in conference on a 
party-line vote. The amendment would have closed the loopholes of 1996 
Mental Health Parity Act and given true parity to the American people. 
Instead, Congress extended the existing flawed mental health parity 
provision up until December 31, 2003. This leaves this important issue 
in pressing need of a resolution.
  Over 54 million people in the United States experience some form of 
mental illness in their lifetime, but many go without the much-needed 
treatment a mental health professional could provide. In fact, almost 
half of the people of our nation with severe mental illness never seek 
or receive treatment. This in large part is due to stigma.
  Throughout our nation's history, we have viewed mental illness with 
ignorance, fear and misunderstanding. We would not stand by while 
insurance companies put up barriers to cancer treatments, nor should we 
turn our backs on those suffering from mental health problems.
  Many health insurers opposed to parity laws are concerned that 
overall health care costs will be significantly increased, due in part 
to the fact that treatment is sometimes more expensive and longer 
lasting than many physical ailments. However, access to mental health 
care often reduces medical claims for physical illness.
  Recent studies show that full parity can be implemented without 
causing siqnificant cost increases for managed care. In states that 
have enacted parity laws, many consumers use mental health care more 
efficiently. In the great state of Maryland, after a small rise of less 
than one percentage point in the first year of parity, mental health 
costs held steady in year two and declined in year three.
  As millions of suffering Americans go without medical assistance, it 
costs the nation upwards of $150 billion each year. Vital human capital 
is lost and medical bills skyrocket as ailments worsen until even more 
expensive management is inevitable. The most damaging effect, however, 
is the pain and suffering that untreated individuals and their loved 
ones must endure.
  The events and the aftermath of September 11 have exemplified the 
need to provide mental healthcare to all sectors of the population, 
including our youngest generation. Children, who are exposed to violent 
and threatening experiences, such as the September 11th attacks, may 
need special attention in order to heal emotionally.
  If a child with a mental health problem is left untreated, the 
results can be devastating. Victims may repeatedly relive a traumatic 
event, which can cause anxiety and depression, impair concentration and 
learning and ultimately perpetuate a cycle of aggressive or violent 
behavior.
  This vicious cycle can be lessened by strengthening families through 
programs and understanding, breaking down misconceptions of mental 
illness and providing people access to mental health professionals and 
vital treatment. All of these factors will help give millions of 
Americans the opportunity to recover and live healthy and productive 
lives.
  I am proud that Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and I were successful in 
securing $20 million in funding for fiscal year 2002 for the National 
Child Traumatic Stress Initiative, administered through the Substance 
Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Presently, we are working to 
secure an additional $50 million for fiscal year 2003 to continue this 
highly-regarded program.
  I would like to commend the National Mental Health Association and 
the other organizations and individuals here today, who are pushing for 
mental health parity. This call for parity in the coverage of costs for 
mental and physical ailments through insurance programs merits our 
serious attention. Let us make their vision a reality in the 107th, 
Congress.

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