URGENT!!! Call to Action: Parity Legislation
Linda
Call House Speaker Nancy Pelosi TOLL FREE at 877-978-9996 to Urge
Action on Parity Legislation
Millions of Americans with mental and addictive disorders are forced
to go without needed care because of health insurance discrimination,
in the form of arbitrary limits on care, higher deductibles and
copayments, and refusal to cover certain diagnoses. Legislation is
pending in Congress-H.R. 1424, the "Paul Wellstone Mental Health and
Addiction Equity Act"-which would require health plans to provide
coverage for mental and addictive disorders at parity with other types
of health conditions. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Patrick Kennedy (D-
RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN), would eliminate unfair barriers in health
coverage for mental illness and addiction, and help millions of
Americans gain access to treatments that can help restore health and
productivity.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET THIS LEGISLATION ENACTED! With time running
out on the legislative calendar, we need H.R. 1424 to be voted on by
the House of Representatives within the next few weeks. House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi controls the House floor schedule, and we want her to
know that Americans care about mental health parity legislation.
CALL HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI TOLL FREE at 877-978-9996!
When you call the number, you will hear a brief message regarding the
parity legislation and what we're trying to accomplish, and then will
be connected with Speaker Pelosi's office. Tell Speaker Pelosi's
staff that you want her to schedule a vote on H.R. 1424 by mid-
October. The time has come for mental illness and addiction to be
treated the same as other illnesses.
Again, the toll-free phone number is 877-978-9996.
Please feel free to contact either myself or Beth Powell with the
American Mental Health Counselors Association (800-326-2642 x105,
bpo...@amhca.org) should you have any questions.
Scott Barstow
Director of Public Policy and Legislation
American Counseling Association
5999 Stevenson Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
703.823.9800 x234
703.823.0252 fax
800.347.6647 x234
703.823.6828 TDD
sbar...@counseling.org
www.counseling.org