Child And Adolescent Psychiatrists Applaud Landmark Mental Health Parity Bill

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Also Included In: Mental Health
Article Date: 11 Mar 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) commends the 110th Congress for passing "The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act" (H.R.1424). Introduced by Congressmen Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN), the bill will secure greater access to mental health and addiction treatment by prohibiting health insurers from placing discriminatory restrictions on treatment. Enactment of parity will enable millions of children and adolescents with mental illnesses to obtain necessary treatment. Prior to the vote, a rally took place on the Capitol steps that included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN), Dave Wellstone, and members of the House leadership.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Commends the 110th Congress for Passing "The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act" (H.R.1424)

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) commends the 110th Congress for passing "The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act" (H.R.1424). Introduced by Congressmen Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN), the bill will secure greater access to mental health and addiction treatment by prohibiting health insurers from placing discriminatory restrictions on treatment. Enactment of parity will enable millions of children and adolescents with mental illnesses to obtain necessary treatment. Prior to the vote, a rally took place on the Capitol steps that included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN), Dave Wellstone, and members of the House leadership.

The legislation addresses the discrimination in group health plans against persons with mental health or substance use disorders. It will expand the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 by prohibiting group health plans from imposing treatment or financial limitations on mental health benefits and addiction disorders that are different from those applied to medical/surgical services. The legislation closes the loopholes that allow discrimination in the co-payment, coinsurance, deductible, maximum out-of-pocket limit and day and visit limits, requiring equality only for annual and lifetime limits.

The House voted 268 to 148, with 47 Republicans joining 221 Democrats in support of the measure. The Senate version of the bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent on September 18th, 2007.

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), close to 90 percent of plans impose such limitations and treatment restrictions on mental health and addiction treatment despite overwhelming scientific research that shows that mental illnesses have biological underpinnings and can be treated effectively. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that managed nondiscriminatory mental health benefits will increase average premiums by less than one percent of the cost of the average benefit.

Representing over 7,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists nationwide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children's mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children's mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.

Our Facts for Families, available free of charge on the AACAP website, provide concise and up-to-date information on a wide array of issues relating to children's mental health. Written in a simple, straightforward manner, these 88 one-page fact sheets are valuable to anyone raising or working with children. In addition, the AACAP routinely refers the media to expert spokespeople on child and adolescent issues, and sponsors The Campaign for America's Kids - an initiative designed to fund an Advocacy Institute for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, with the goal of mental health for all children.

AACAP Mission: The Mission of the AACAP is the promotion of mentally healthy children, adolescents and families through research, training, advocacy, prevention, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, peer support and collaboration.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry