[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2085-E2086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION 
                           EQUITY ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY -

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
H.R. 6983, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity 
and Addiction Equity Act. I stand with

[[Page E2086]]

millions of families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and 
individuals in gratitude to this Congress, led by chief sponsor, 
Representative Patrick Kennedy, who have joined forces in a bipartisan 
manner to help those suffering from mental illness. Today, we tell 
Americans from all walks of life that we understand that mental illness 
is just like any physical illness, we understand the difficulties you 
have been facing, and we are here to end discrimination against 
patients seeking treatment for mental illnesses.
  One out of every five adults in the United State suffers from mental 
or substance abuse disorders, which according to the Wall Street 
Journal, cost our economy $550 billion last year. Of course, treating 
mental illness is not about dollars and cents. It's about lives which 
are ruined and lives which are lost. Last year one, more than 30,000 
Americans committed suicide from untreated depression and 150,000 
Americans died as the direct result of chemical addiction. When people 
are not properly treated, or not treated at all, our Nation as a whole 
suffers.
  H.R. 6983 permanently reauthorizes and expands the Mental Health 
Parity Act of 1996 to provide for equity in the coverage of mental and 
substance use disorders compared to medical and surgical disorders. The 
legislation ensures that group health plans do not charge higher 
copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and impose maximum out-of-pocket 
limits and lower day and visit limits on mental health and addiction 
care than for medical and surgical benefits. As under current law, the 
Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and 
the Internal Revenue Service may penalize health plans for 
discriminatory practices under the bill and individuals may bring a 
private right of action to receive covered benefits.
  Discrimination on all counts must be eliminated in this country. This 
bill takes a giant step in the right direction. I am grateful to our 
leadership for moving this bill which is sure to help millions of 
Americans.

                          ____________________