Thanks to quick AACAP member action on the issue, the Senate voted to reject the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act (HIMMA), S. 1955, on May 11th. The bill, which was a priority issue during the AACAP/SPCAP's May 5th Advocacy Day, would have overridden state mental health parity laws and other state insurance protections. Due to heavy opposition from the health community, including AACAP members, the bill failed to garner the 60 votes it needed on a procedural vote, known as a "cloture vote," and failed by a margin of 55-43. If you would like to know how your Senators voted, click on the following link, then click on Vote No. 00119 to view the roll call vote ( "Yes" votes were in favor the bill while "no" votes were in opposition) : http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_menu_109_2.htm.

The AACAP thanks all members that contacted their two Senators to request their opposition to HIMMA, S. 1955. Please contact the AACAP Dept. of Government Affairs if you have any questions on this or other legislative issues at 800.333.7636, ext. 126 or e-mail nmoore@aacap.org.

View a complete list of current AACAP Legislative Alerts to learn more about the AACAP's legislative agenda, including the priority workforce shortage legislation, the Child Health Care Crisis Relief Act, H.R.1106/S.537. If you have questions or would like more assistance in contacting your member of Congress, please call 800. 333. 7636, ext. 126, or e-mail Nuala Moore at nmoore@aacap.org.