Advocacy

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE ATTENTION

he 109^th Congress has convened and we have many important issues in front of us over the next two years.  I will continue to support mental health issues and am hopeful we will continue to make progress in enacting new legislation. 

It is important to note that some of the issues that are receiving a great deal of attention, such as Social Security reform, will have an impact on how well prepared we are to care for those experiencing mental illness.  It is critical that we maintain a reasonable social safety net to meet our health care needs. 

Last year we passed and funded the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act * (S.2634/H.R. 4799) to address the issue of youth suicide prevention.  This year, I will again be a cosponsor of the Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act**, which would provide equal insurance coverage for mental health unless comparable limitations are imposed on medical and surgical benefits.  This legislation was supported by more than half of the members in the House of Representatives last Congress and has support in the Senate.  This is a necessary step that would allow for the better diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.

Parity legislation will be a major focus of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, of which I will continue to be a member.  The Caucus is made up of over 70 bipartisan members of Congress and focuses on how to address mental health needs across the nation.   I look forward to working with you to advance these issues. 

Read more about it . . .

*You can read more about the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (S.2634/H.R. 4799) at    the U.S. Congress on the Internet. S.2634/H.R. 4799 became Public Law No: 108-355.  Further information on the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act is available at the NAMI National Website
**Further information on the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act (S 486/HR 953) is available at the NAMI National Website