Madam Speaker,  I rise in strong support of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007, which I am proud to cosponsor.  I know many people have worked hard to bring this important measure to the floor, including my friend from Minnesota, the co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, Mr. Ramstad.  Most of all, I would like to recognize the commitment and perseverance of my good friend and colleague from Rhode Island, Patrick Kennedy.  Patrick has been my good friend for many years, and I have watched him harness his passion and his knowledge to address the challenges faced by those with mental illness.  He has raised awareness about a topic that had previously been considered taboo by the American people, using his own personal experiences to humanize the issue of mental health.  I know that the people of Rhode Island admire his leadership, and I thank him for his tireless efforts.

Mental illnesses and substance abuse problems are at epidemic levels in this country.  According to recent estimates, more than 35 million Americans experience the disabling symptoms of mental illness.   Depression alone costs employers over $35 billion dollars a year in lost productivity, and that figure does not even factor in the multitude of other behavioral and psychological disorders that challenge our society on a daily basis.  Substance abuse also directly affects an estimated 25 million Americans. An additional 40 million are indirectly affected once family members of abusers and the injured victims of intoxicated drivers are considered.  Put simply, the social and monetary costs of these problems are astounding.

This bipartisan legislation makes tremendous strides in ending the inherent discrimination in our insurance system against patients seeking treatment for these illnesses. It permanently reauthorizes and expands the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 to provide for equity in the coverage of mental health and substance-related disorders.  It does not achieve equity by mandating that group health plans provide mental health coverage.  However, if a plan chooses to offer coverage – as it rightfully should – then the coverage it offers must be no more restrictive in the financial requirements or treatment limits that are provided for medical or surgical disorders.  This will mean equity in deductibles and co-pays, as well as in the frequency and number of visits.  It will also establish parity for out-of-network coverage.  In short, it will vastly expand coverage and access for those seeking treatment for their mental health. 

Mental health parity is already available to members of Congress and over 8 million federal employees under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) at minimal additional cost to the program.  It is time that we extend this benefit to all Americans, and this legislation takes us considerably closer to that goal.  I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.