The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2086 on Sept. 27, 2008.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION
EQUITY ACT OF 2008
______
speech of
HON. GEORGE MILLER
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
This important bipartisan piece of legislation would not have been possible without the vigorous advocacy of the late Senator Paul Wellstone and the continued dedication and commitment of Senator Wellstone's family.
In addition, I want to thank Congressmen Kennedy and Ramstad as well as Senators Kennedy and Domenici. Without their tireless efforts, this bill would not be before us today.
Mental illness and substance abuse affects millions of families across this country.
Without treatment, those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse often struggle to hold a job or make ends meet.
Today, approximately 44 million Americans suffer from mental illness, but only one-third receive treatment.
A key component of this problem is that private health insurers generally provide less coverage for mental illnesses and substance abuse than for other medical conditions.
A 2002 Kaiser Family Foundation study found that, while 98 percent of workers with employer-sponsored health insurance had coverage for mental health care, 74 percent of those workers were subject to annual outpatient visit limits, and 64 percent were subject to annual inpatient daily limits.
H.R. 6983 amends the Employer Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to prohibit employer group health plans from imposing mental health or substance abuse treatment limitations, financial requirements, or out-
of-network coverage limitations unless comparable limitations requirements are imposed upon medical-surgical benefits.
The out of network coverage provisions are particularly important.
Under this provision, if a health plan permits individuals to go to an emergency room for a medical condition without prior authorization; or an out-of-network hospital or treatment center at network rates for a medical condition, then the plan must apply the same rules to an individual suffering from a mental illness or substance disorder.
In addition, the bill does not require group health plans to provide any mental health or substance abuse coverage.
However, if the group health plan does offer mental health and/or substance abuse benefits, there must be equity between mental health and/or substance abuse coverage and all comparable medical and surgical benefits that the plan covers.
As a result, more Americans will be able to access affordable mental health and substance abuse benefits.
Nothing in H.R. 6983 is intended to preempt stronger state mental health and substance abuse parity laws.
The Committee on Education and Labor has analyzed each state's mental health and substance abuse law; it is our understanding and intent that this legislation will not preempt any of these laws.
In other words, a state law that may contain broader or more favorable mental health and/or substance abuse benefit requirements will not be preempted.
Finally, this bill directs the Department of Labor to provide information and assistance to individuals, employers, and states in order to help them comply with the requirements of this law.
H.R. 6983 enjoys broad, bipartisan support.
And, I would particularly like to recognize the dedication and commitment of Paul Wellstone's family to getting this bill passed. We know how important this issue was to Paul and it is in his memory that we take this vote today.
I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting for the Paul Wellstone/Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
It is time to end the stigma and provide fair coverage to those in need.
____________________
