Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists Applaud Landmark Mental Health Parity Bill

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Also Included In: Mental Health;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 12 Mar 2007 - 11:00 PST

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The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) commends Congressmen Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN) for introducing "The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act "(H.R. 1367). 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 attain the treatment they need.

"I applaud Representatives Ramstad and Kennedy for showing America that mental health is intrinsic to good health and that treatment for mental illness and substance abuse is critical." said Thomas F. Anders, M.D., AACAP President.

The bill strengthens the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 by requiring group health plans that offer benefits for mental health and addiction to do so in the same way that other diseases are treated. The legislation closes the loopholes that let plans charge higher co-payments, coinsurance,and deductibles on mental health and addiction care.

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.

Last month, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved similar legislation, The Mental Health Parity Act of 2007, sponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Pete Domenici (R- NM), and Mike Enzi (R-WY). The House Bill will require health plans that offer mental health benefits to include the same mental health and addiction disorders that are in the health plans members of Congress use.

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.

Mission of the AACAP

Promote mentally healthy children, adolescents and families through research, training, advocacy, prevention, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, peer support and collaboration.

http://www.aacap.org