< Public Policy

PRESIDENT SUPPORTS PARITY (Parity Alert #10)

President Bush today announced his support for mental health parity legislation. We are gratified that the President is focusing on our issue and we look forward to working with his staff and Members of Congress to pass a good full parity bill. The President also announced his new commission to examine the public mental health system.

Here is the excerpt of the President's remarks relevant to parity:

The third major obstacle to effective mental health care is the often unfair treatment limitations placed on mental health in insurance coverage. (Applause.) Many private health insurance plans have developed effective programs to identify patients with mental illnesses, and they help them get the treatment they need to regain their health.

But insurance plans too often place greater restrictions on the treatment of mental illness than on the treatment of other medical illnesses. As a result, some Americans are unable to get effective medical treatments that would allow them to function well in their daily lives. Our health insurance system must treat serious mental illness like any other disease. (Applause.) And that was Senator Domenici's message to me at the Oval Office. (Laughter.) And it was Nancy's message when we had them up for dinner. (Laughter.) And I want to appreciate the fact that they have worked tirelessly on this problem. (Applause.)

I have a record on this issue. As the Governor of Texas, I signed a bill to ensure that patients who critically need mental health are treated fairly. Senator Domenici and I share this commitment: health plans should not be allowed to apply unfair treatment limitations or financial requirements on mental health benefits. (Applause.)

It is critical that we provide full -- as we provide full mental health parity, that we do not significantly run up the cost of health care. I'll work with the Senator. I will work with the Speaker. I will work with their House and Senate colleagues to reach an agreement on mental health parity -- this year. (Applause.) We must work for a welcoming and compassionate society, a society where no American is dismissed, and no American is forgotten. This is the great and hopeful story of our country, and we can write another chapter. We must give all Americans who suffer from mental illness the treatment, and the respect, they deserve. (Applause.) Thank you all. God bless. (Applause.) END 10:49 A.M. MDT

Here is the Associated Press story running this afternoon, followed by a White House fact sheet:

April 29, 2002

IMPROVING ACCESS TO QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Today's Presidential Action

Ø In a speech at the University of New Mexico, President Bush today announced his plans to improve access to quality, effective mental health care. The President announced that he will work to pass federal mental health parity legislation to eliminate disparities in the coverage of mental health benefits.

Ø The President also announced the formation of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health to develop recommendations on improving the nation's mental health service delivery system.

Background on Today's Presidential Action

Ø Each year, millions of Americans suffer from mental illness. Many adults and children are significantly disabled by severe and persistent mental illness. Untreated mental illness is a great national problem.

Ø The stigma of mental illness often discourages patients from seeking care despite the existence of new drugs and therapies that have vastly improved the chances for effective treatment and recovery. Without access to necessary and effective quality care, far too many Americans will live with untreated mental illness that too often can lead to homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction or incarceration.

Parity in Mental Health Benefits

Ø Despite the advances that have been made in the science of mental health treatment, many health plans unfairly treat coverage for mental health benefits by imposing copayments, deductibles or limits on outpatient visits that are more restrictive than those placed on physical illness.

Ø The President has a history of supporting parity legislation. In 1997 as Governor of Texas, he signed legislation into law that required plans to provide fair treatment to patients with severe mental illnesses.

Ø The President will work with Senator Domenici and other leaders in the House and Senate to reach an agreement on mental health parity legislation that can pass Congress and be signed into law. The legislation must prevent plans from applying less generous treatment or financial limitations on mental health benefits than are imposed on medical or surgical benefits.

The President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health

Ø Currently, numerous Federal, State and local government entities oversee mental health programs, policy, funding and the diverse network of public and private providers. More efficient organization and coordination could assist these providers in ensuring effective treatment is received by those in need.

Ø To address this issue, President Bush is establishing the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. The Commission will be composed of fifteen members, appointed by the President, and seven ex-officio members from executive branch agencies. The Commission will identify the needs of patients, the barriers to care, and investigate community-based care models that have success in coordinating and providing mental health services. The Commission will have one year to recommend immediate improvements that can be implemented by all aspects of the public and private mental health system to improve coordination and quality of services with existing resources.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/04/20020429.html

For more information on the President's initiatives, please visit www.whitehouse.gov