Progress: Mental Health Parity Moves in the Senate

In the current environment in Washington, it is hard to keep track of what is going on.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Anthony Coley/Melissa Wagoner
October 1, 2008 (202) 224-2633

Kennedy Statement on Mental Health Parity

HYANNIS PORT, MA - Senator Edward M. Kennedy tonight released the following statement on the Senate's passage of legislation that will fundamentally change how tens of millions of Americans with mental illness are treated and cared for. The legislation was included in the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, the so-called tax extenders bill that passed the Senate last week and again tonight. Senator Kennedy has worked on the bill for more than ten years.

“Tonight, the United States Senate passed mental health parity legislation, requiring insurance companies to cover mental health and physical health equally. There is renewed hope for millions of Americans facing mental illness. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives, and I urge them to act now to end discrimination and prejudice. Millions of Americans are waiting – and they've waited too long already.”

To access an audio recording of this statement, dial 1-800-511-0763, ID 3086.

Apparently this is part of the "bail out" package, according to CQPolitics.  We'll see if this gets it done.