[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 38 (Thursday, March 6, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     PAUL WELLSTONE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2008

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise the passage of 
the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act (H.R. 1424)--
a bill that will fill the longstanding gaps in mental health care in 
this Nation and that will end the unfortunate disparate treatment that 
patients seeking mental health care currently receive.
   Mr. Speaker, as a physician who practiced for more than two decades 
prior to coming to Congress, I have seen what happens to people who are 
afflicted with mental illnesses like bi-polar disorder, depression, and 
schizophrenia who do not receive appropriate, consistent care.
  Studies confirm that mental health is integral to the holistic health 
and wellness of all people. Additionally, under-addressed mental health 
care issues are not just issues that affect the individuals who live 
with mental disorders; they also affect their friends, families, and 
communities. And, today, statistics show that 1 in 17 Americans suffer 
from a serious mental health disorder and that these disorders are the 
primary cause of disability in the United States among people 15 to 44 
years of age--during their most productive life years.
  Despite the enormous impact that mental illnesses can and do have on 
millions of Americans every day, good treatment works. But, of course, 
the treatment options available to patients comes with a cost and one 
that up until now has had to be borne largely by the consumer. It is 
important to recognize though that the cost of mental health problems--
when they are un- and under-addressed--becomes staggering.
  The good news is not only that over the past eight years, the Federal 
Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) has made ``parity'' coverage 
for mental health care available to Members of Congress and 8.5 million 
other Federal employees, but that there has been no significant cost 
increase to this parity requirement in FEHBP. Based on this and further 
analysis, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated 
that H.R. 1424 would have a miniscule impact on premiums--just two-
tenths of 1 percent.

  For the sizeable proportion of Americans that suffer from more than 
one mental health disorder at a given time, this bill will be critical 
in improving mental health care access, options, and treatments 
available to patients seeking services.
  Certainly, there is no better time than now to ensure that patients 
seeking treatment for mental illnesses are able to do so in a system 
that champions mental health parity, where care is accessible and not 
subject to reimbursement limitations by insurers or group health plans. 
This bill is exactly what is needed to finally bring equity and 
fairness into the mental health care system in this Nation and to 
finally make the health care that individuals can receive 
comprehensive.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I also want to add that as the chair of the CBC 
Health Braintrust, I have long been concerned by the racial and ethnic 
disparities in mental health and in mental health care that 
detrimentally affect the millions of innocent, hardworking Americans, 
and have long championed and supported legislation to reduce such 
disparities.
  The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act is a bill 
that will help reduce the disproportionate burden of mental health and 
mental health care disparities on African Americans and other people of 
color.
  Mr. Speaker, the burden of mental illness on the health and 
productivity in the United States and throughout the world has long 
been underestimated. This is a situation that demands and needs 
immediate action, for all children and adults who live with mental 
illness. Enacting strong mental health parity legislation will improve 
the health status of individuals who suffer dire health consequences as 
a result of their mental illness and pushes us one step closer to 
achieving health equity.
  I am pleased that the House passed H.R. 1424. Now we can move forward 
to eliminate all disparities in health care by passing H.R. 3014, the 
Healthcare Equity and Accountability Act.

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