U. S. House of Representatives Passes Mental Health and Addiction Parity Bill

On March 6, 2008, the US House of Representatives passed the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, a bill that requires that group health plans* provide the same level of coverage for the treatment of mental health and/or substance use disorders as is provided for medical and surgical services.  While the Senate passed its version of a mental health and addiction parity bill earlier in September of 2007, the House bill is considered to be the more comprehensive reform of the 1996 Mental Health Parity Act.  The House and Senate parity bills must now be reconciled and sent before the President for his signature.   [More information on H.R. 1424]  *Does not apply to group health plans offered by employers with fewer than 50 employees.

ASAM Members Take to Capitol Hill!

On October 24 and 25, 2007, 18 ASAM members from 14 states visited with their Members of Congress to shore up support for the House parity bill, HR 1424.  In all, 44 Congressional offices were visited, nearly a third of which included meetings with the Member of Congress. 

Senate Passes Parity Bill 

On Tuesday, September 18, 2007, the U.S. Senate passed S. 558, the "Mental Health Parity Act of 2007", on a unanimous consent calendar.  [More information on S. 558] [Parity Talking Points]    

The American Society of Addiction Medicine tries to serve its members in many ways.  We believe that one of the most important ways to serve our membership is by helping them to play an active role in shaping government policies that affect their livelihoods and the livelihoods of their patients.

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