Family & Friends
Action Council

June 18, 2007

Action Alert:

Pass Mental Health
Parity NOW!

L-R: Rep. Kennedy (D-RI) and
Rep. Ramstad (R-MN) are leading
the effort to pass the House
parity bill.

Mental Health Parity is on the move. You can help!

Mental health parity is on the move in Congress. There is a good chance that a mental health parity bill will soon pass. The Eating Disorders Coalition is working to ensure that Congress passes the strongest possible mental health parity bill.

There are two versions in Congress now, one in the House and one in the Senate.  The House bill is excellent and we strongly support its immediate passage without amendment. The Senate bill could be stronger. The EDC supports both the House and Senate bills.

We need your help TODAY! Members of Congress want to hear from YOU, their constituents.

1. Contact your U.S. Representative and ask him or her to "support the immediate passage of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007, H.R. 1424, without amendments."

2. Contact both of your U.S. Senators and ask them "to support the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007, S. 558."

We urge the Senate to add language to include all diagnoses currently covered in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Plan. The House bill already includes this language. Without this inclusive language in the Senate bill it is likely that people with eating disorders will continue to be discriminated against based on diagnosis.

3. Get the word out! Forward this message to friends, family, co-workers, and people on your e-mail list. Let them know that the call or e-mail today can get these bills through Congress very soon.

Talking Points for Common Misconceptions

Insurance costs will NOT soar.
When federal employees received mental health parity coverage starting in 2001, the cost to provide benefits increased by less than one percent. In addition, productivity increased and absenteeism dropped. (Report on Parity for Federal Employees) Both the House and Senate bills would allow insurers to drop out of mental health parity if the costs rise above 2 percent in the first year or 1 percent thereafter. This safety net guarantees that costs won't soar.

Managed care will STILL ensure that benefits are used wisely.
Insurance companies will still play an important role in determining how resources are allocated. For example, jet lag appears in a comprehensive list of diagnoses but there is no therapeutic treatment necessary. Insurance companies will still work with patients and therapists to make sure resources aren't lost on ineffective treatments.

The Senate bill would NOT overturn broader state parity protections.
The Senate bill "preempts state-passed mandated parity standards regarding financial requirements and treatment limitations, whether these are part of a parity law or a mandated minimum mental health or addictions treatment benefit. However, the Senate bill would not preempt existing state requirements for insurance plans to either cover or offer mental health or addiction treatment benefits. In addition, the bill would not preempt provisions in state parity laws that require specific diagnoses or a broad listing (e.g., the entire DSM) to be covered equitably." For a comparison of the House and Senate bills, visit the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (pdf).

Congress.org:
Contact your national, state, or local elected officials.

Write or call the U.S. House of Representatives.  
Write or call the U.S. Senate.

Congress.org: Write the media in your area.

Support the EDC

We focus on Washington, D.C., and national policies on eating disorders. We work with Congress, the federal government, the media, and others. From our office across the street from the U.S. Capitol complex, we call attention to the Americans struggling and dying from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and eating disorders not otherwise specified.

Your donation will make a difference. Click the button below to donate online.

Or, mail a check payable to Eating Disorders Coalition, to the address below.

Eating Disorders Coalition
611 Pennsylvania Avenue SE #423
Washington, DC 20003-4303  USA