[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 20 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXTENDING PARITY IN APPLICATION OF CERTAIN LIMITS TO MENTAL HEALTH 
                                BENEFITS

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                               speech of

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2008

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, today I stand in support of H.R. 4848, 
extension for 1 year, parity in the application of certain limits to 
mental health benefits.
  H.R. 4848 would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 
1974 (ERISA), and the Public Health Service Act to extend until 
December 31, 2008, mental health parity provisions, which require group 
health plans to treat equally mental health benefits and medical and 
surgical benefits for purposes of lifetime limits or annual limits on 
benefits covered by the plan.
  Approximately two-thirds of individuals with potentially diagnosable 
disorders do not seek treatment. A majority of insured and uninsured 
individuals suffering from untreated mental health disorders mention 
cost as the primary reason that they do not use or seek mental health 
treatment. This is due in part to unequal health insurance coverage for 
mental health services, which results in significant cost-shifting from 
private insure to individuals.
  As a former social worker, I personally know untreated mental illness 
is associated with a number of societal problems. Such as, higher rates 
of unemployment, crime and increased welfare cost.
  Parity for mental health is needed because, left on their own very 
few employers would offer mental health benefits at a level that is 
equal to medical and surgical benefits in their group health plan.
  Mental health is a serious issue facing many Americans. The goal of 
H.R. 4848 is to make sure everyone gets effective quality treatment for 
mental illness. In order for that to happen, mental illness needs to be 
treated just like other surgical and medical treatments.

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