[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 2, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E935]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE PAUL WELLSTONE LEGACY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 2, 2007

  Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, it is an honor for me to speak in support 
of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007. I 
want to thank both Congressman Kennedy and Congressman Ramstad for 
their dedication to ending insurance discrimination and ensuring all 
Americans have access to mental health and addiction services. I also 
want to thank Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, and Majority Whip 
Clyburn for their leadership in championing this bill and mental health 
access issues.
  As a Minnesotan, I'm struck by the emotion of this day because the 
late Senator Wellstone's tireless efforts to ensure mental health 
parity might finally be realized. Paul Wellstone knew it was wrong for 
health insurers to place discriminatory restrictions on treatments and 
I'm honored to be a part of this effort to finally guarantee that the 
millions of Americans who need mental health and addiction services can 
obtain the treatment they deserve.
  The urgent need for the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction 
Equity Act of 2007 is surely best expressed by those who have seen a 
loved one in need denied coverage. I think immediately of Kitty Westin, 
whose daughter Anna suffered from anorexia, a deadly disease that 
affects approximately 8 million Americans and ultimately claimed Anna's 
life. During her daughter's battle with anorexia, Kitty took Anna to 
the hospital. Anna was refused care by their insurance company because 
it did not consider access to mental health treatment important enough 
to cover.
  Kitty knows this is completely unacceptable and has been fighting 
selflessly to make sure no other family experiences the same 
frustration and pain. I commend her for carrying on Anna's legacy so 
impressively through her advocacy efforts and community work. For Kitty 
and all of the others who have encountered insurance discrimination, I 
carry Paul Wellstone's message that mental health care is an imperative 
part of all heath care. My hope is that this bill in his name will 
finally pass, guaranteeing that all Americans have access to mental 
health and addiction services.

                          ____________________