[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 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. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong 
support of the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and 
Addiction Equity Act.
  This important bipartisan piece of legislation would not have been 
possible without the vigorous advocacy of the late Senator Paul 
Wellstone and the continued dedication and commitment of Senator 
Wellstone's family.
  In addition, I want to thank Congressmen Kennedy and Ramstad as well 
as Senators Kennedy and Domenici. Without their tireless efforts, this 
bill would not be before us today.
  Mental illness and substance abuse affects millions of families 
across this country.
  Without treatment, those suffering from mental illness and substance 
abuse often struggle to hold a job or make ends meet.
  Today, approximately 44 million Americans suffer from mental illness, 
but only one-third receive treatment.
  A key component of this problem is that private health insurers 
generally provide less coverage for mental illnesses and substance 
abuse than for other medical conditions.
  A 2002 Kaiser Family Foundation study found that, while 98 percent of 
workers with employer-sponsored health insurance had coverage for 
mental health care, 74 percent of those workers were subject to annual 
outpatient visit limits, and 64 percent were subject to annual 
inpatient daily limits.
  H.R. 6983 amends the Employer Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) 
to prohibit employer group health plans from imposing mental health or 
substance abuse treatment limitations, financial requirements, or out-
of-network coverage limitations unless comparable limitations 
requirements are imposed upon medical-surgical benefits.
  The out of network coverage provisions are particularly important.
  Under this provision, if a health plan permits individuals to go to 
an emergency room for a medical condition without prior authorization; 
or an out-of-network hospital or treatment center at network rates for 
a medical condition, then the plan must apply the same rules to an 
individual suffering from a mental illness or substance disorder.
  In addition, the bill does not require group health plans to provide 
any mental health or substance abuse coverage.
  However, if the group health plan does offer mental health and/or 
substance abuse benefits, there must be equity between mental health 
and/or substance abuse coverage and all comparable medical and surgical 
benefits that the plan covers.
  As a result, more Americans will be able to access affordable mental 
health and substance abuse benefits.
  Nothing in H.R. 6983 is intended to preempt stronger state mental 
health and substance abuse parity laws.
  The Committee on Education and Labor has analyzed each state's mental 
health and substance abuse law; it is our understanding and intent that 
this legislation will not preempt any of these laws.
  In other words, a state law that may contain broader or more 
favorable mental health and/or substance abuse benefit requirements 
will not be preempted.
  Finally, this bill directs the Department of Labor to provide 
information and assistance to individuals, employers, and states in 
order to help them comply with the requirements of this law.
  H.R. 6983 enjoys broad, bipartisan support.
  And, I would particularly like to recognize the dedication and 
commitment of Paul Wellstone's family to getting this bill passed. We 
know how important this issue was to Paul and it is in his memory that 
we take this vote today.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting for the Paul 
Wellstone/Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
  It is time to end the stigma and provide fair coverage to those in 
need.

                          ____________________