[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 40 (Monday, March 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E338]
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. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2008

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, Despite the fact that 44 million Americans 
suffer from mental health disorders, a majority of health care plans 
continue to treat mental health differently than physical health. These 
plans discriminate against those with mental health disorders by 
imposing financial limitations and treatment restrictions on mental 
health and addiction care. Over 80 percent of Americans who need mental 
health treatment do not seek it because of the restrictions or the 
cost. This is unacceptable. Americans with mental health disorders need 
and deserve the same level of coverage as those who suffer from 
physical disorders, and with the passage of this bill, we can help give 
them that coverage.
  This bill closes the loophole that has allowed plans to charge 
patients more and impose additional limits for mental health care. 
Efforts to weaken the bill by allowing plans to determine which mental 
health benefits to cover or preempting State laws providing stronger 
mental health protections will allow discrimination to continue against 
the millions of Americans who need our support in their efforts to seek 
treatment.
  I urge everyone to vote for H.R. 1424, the Paul Wellstone Mental 
Health and Addiction Equity Act, and these people whose lives depend on 
the treatment they need and deserve. Members of Congress have mental 
health parity. It's high time we provide parity to the 44 million 
Americans who need it.




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