[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E356]
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. TIMOTHY WALBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2008

  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express concerns with H.R. 
1424, the ``Paul Wellstone Mental Health Addiction and Equity Act of 
2007.'' First, let me say I am a strong supporter of providing mental 
health parity and was pleased to support the alternative in the House 
Education and Labor Committee during mark-up. Senate bill 558 is a 
reasonable approach that will protect consumers and insurance providers 
alike and why it passed the Senate under unanimous consent. 
Unfortunately, the bill under consideration today in the House 
constitutes a costly employer mandate that has the potential to 
increase costs, leading to decreased coverage. The Congressional Budget 
Office estimates H.R. 1424 would impose mandates on private insurance 
companies totaling $3 billion annually by 2012. These costs will 
ultimately hit employers offering health insurance and employees 
seeking to obtain coverage.
  Furthermore, I am concerned with using a substantial increase in the 
Medicaid prescription drug rebate as one of the offsets to pay for this 
legislation. This increase raises the basic rebate on innovator brand 
pharmaceutical companies by 33 percent. Increasing the discounts 
prescription drug manufacturers already provide the government under 
Medicaid could stifle innovation in the development of future 
treatments. My constituents yearn for the latest breakthrough therapies 
for cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and so many other diseases. We owe 
it to them to encourage that innovation and not hinder its development 
with federal legislation.
  These are just two examples of why we should oppose H.R. 1424. I 
would urge my colleagues to support the reasonable alternative House 
Republicans will bring to the floor today.

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