The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) applauds U.S. Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Pete Domenici (R-NM), and Mike Enzi (R-WY) for introducing critical mental health legislation to ensure greater health insurance parity for individuals with mental illnesses. Today, the Senate Health, Labor, Education, and Pensions Committee voted 18-3 to support the bill's passage.
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Denise Espie, Director, Development and Communications, ext. 120, despie@aacap.org
Erin Baker, Communication Manager, ext. 119, ebaker@aacap.org
Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 Is Trailblazing Legislation
Washington, D.C., February 14, 2007 – The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) applauds U.S. Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Pete Domenici (R-NM), and Mike Enzi (R-WY) for introducing critical mental health legislation to ensure greater health insurance parity for individuals with mental illnesses. Today, the Senate Health, Labor, Education, and Pensions Committee voted 18-3 to support the bill's passage.
This legislation addresses the discrimination in group health plans against persons with mental or substance abuse disorders and seeks to expand the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 by prohibiting group health plans from imposing limitations on mental health benefits different from those applied to medical/surgical services. The bill provides parity for inpatient and outpatient visit limits, copayments, and deductibles. These are areas where health insurance plans have discriminated against persons with mental illnesses in the past.
"Americans should be encouraged to seek treatment for mental illnesses and this legislation will enable those in need of care to do so," AACAP President Thomas F. Anders, M.D., said. "Too often, a misperception of the cost of mental health coverage prevents access to care, but the price of not treating a child with a mental illness is much greater."
Between 7 and 12 million young people live with mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders. Youth with mental illnesses who do not receive treatment often become the responsibilities of the special education, child welfare, and/or juvenile justice systems.
Parity encourages families to seek early intervention, evaluation, and treatment for mental illnesses, resulting in healthier and more productive futures. The 1996 law began the parity process, and helped raise greater awareness of the stigma often associated with mental illnesses.
Families with questions on health insurance should read the AACAP's "Understanding Your Mental Health Insurance," part of a series of fact sheets on the AACAP Web site, www.aacap.org. Other useful topics include: When and Where to Seek Help.
To schedule an interview with a child and adolescent psychiatrist to discuss the legislation, please contact Erin Baker, Communications Manager, at 202-966- 7300, ext. 119 or ebaker@aacap.org.
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.
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.
