The US House of Representatives voted to approve (263 to 171), the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (HR 1424), which includes a new financial rescue bill, tax extenders package, and mental health and addiction disorder parity legislation, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (introduced as HR 6983). The same package cleared the Senate on October 1 by a vote of 74 to 25. Today’s House vote cleared the bill for presentation to the president, who signed it today.
PCPA commends Congress for the passage of legislation that calls for equitable insurance coverage for mental health and addiction disorders. This legislation is a significant step towards ending discrimination against those with mental illnesses and addictions. PCPA especially thanks Senators Domenici, Kennedy, and Enzi, and Representatives Kennedy and Ramstad, who have been passionate champions of parity for many years and brought the bill to pass.
Further questions may be addressed to Anne Leisure.
