National Alliance on Mental Illness
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Action Alert

Contact Your Representative to Vote to Pass

the Wisconsin Parity Act

(Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to SB-362)

Assembly May Vote on the Wisconsin Parity Act as Early as Feb. 22!

On Jan. 28 the Wisconsin Senate passed the Wisconsin Parity Act

(Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to SB-362) by a 20-13 vote with

strong bipartisan support. Now the legislation advances to the

Assembly—which may vote on the bill as early as Monday, Feb. 22.

The Wisconsin Parity Act is an important bill that will provide mental

health and substance abuse disorder insurance benefits at parity

levels—equal to benefits for medical and surgical procedures—for

700,000 employees of Wisconsin’s small businesses not covered by the

federal Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and

Addiction Equity Act of 2008, P.L. 110-343. For more information on

the legislation, visit www.ParityForWisconsin.org.

Action Requested

Contact your Representative TODAY and tell him or her to pass the

Wisconsin Parity Act. If you don’t know who your Representative is, visit

www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx

Suggested Message to Representatives

These are just suggestions—it’s best to use your own words and experiences:

I’m writing/calling as a constituent to ask that you vote to pass the Wisconsin

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act (Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to

SB-362) when it is introduced for a vote in the Assembly. As you may know, the

Wisconsin Parity Act passed the Senate on Jan. 28 with strong bipartisan support.

With job creation Wisconsin’s number one economic priority, the Wisconsin Parity

Act will play an important role in helping our small businesses be more competitive.

Parity provides an opportunity to improve both the mental AND physical health of

workers, which can lead not only to lower healthcare costs but also improved employee

productivity, saving Wisconsin businesses billions of dollars annually.

The Wisconsin Parity Act will NOT lead to a dramatic increase in healthcare costs.

The most recent, authoritative, independent, expert analysis of the economic impact on

private-sector employers of parity—conducted by the Congressional Budget Office and

cited in federal regulations released Feb. 2 by the Departments of the Treasury, Labor,

and Health and Human Services implementing the Wellstone-Domenic Act—concluded

that insurance premium costs would increase by just four-tenths of one percent.

Parity may, in fact, reduce overall health care costs, which are routinely twice as high

for people living with substance use disorders and mental health disorders. And

numerous studies have shown parity to improve health outcomes for people with heart

disease, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases.

The Wisconsin Parity Act recognizes the concerns of small business. Using language

consistent with federal guidelines as outlined in the federal Wellstone-Domenici Act, new

amendments to the Wisconsin Parity Act will allow employers with fewer than

10 employees to opt out of complying with the parity provision for one plan year at a

time. The amendments also permit larger employers who can show that parity has

increased their insurance costs by two percent in the first year, and then one percent in

later plan years, to opt out for one plan year at a time.

Research has repeatedly confirmed the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of treatment

for persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

For these reasons I ask that you vote to pass the Wisconsin Parity Act.

Wisconsin Assembly Members

Each of the following eight Representatives voted “yes” on Dec. 17 as members of the Assembly

Committee on Health and Health Care Reform to advance the legislation to consideration by the

full Assembly. If you contact them, please thank them for their vote and ask for their continued

support of this important legislation.

 Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee), rep.richards@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0650

 Rep. Chuck Benedict (D-Beloit), rep.benedict@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-9967

 Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber (D-Appleton), rep.BernardSchaber@legis.wisconsin.gov;

(608) 266-3070

 Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay), rep.pasch@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7671.

Rep. Pasch is the lead sponsor of the bill. If you contact her, please be sure to thank her for her

important leadership.

 Rep. Kelda Helen Roys (D-Madison), rep.roys@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5340

 Rep. Donna Seidel (D-Wausau), rep.seidel@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0654

 Rep. Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse), rep.shilling@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5780

 Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink (D-Milladore), rep.vruwink@legis.wisconsin.gov;

(608) 266-8366

The full Assembly is:

 Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan), rep.ballweg@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-8077

 Peter Barca (D-Kenosha), rep.barca@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5504

 Terese Berceau (D-Madison), rep.berceau@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3784

 Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay), rep.bies@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5350

 Spencer Black (D-Madison), rep.black@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7521

 Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg), rep.brooks@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-8531

 Fred Clark (D-Baraboo), rep.clark@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7746

 Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee), rep.colon@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 267-7669

 David Cullen (D-Milwaukee), rep.cullen@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 267-9836

 Chris Danou (D-Trempealeau), rep.danou@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7015

 Brett Davis (R-Oregon), rep.davis@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-1192

 Kristen Dexter (D-Eau Claire), rep.dexter@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-9172

 Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee), rep.fields@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3756

 Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), rep.fitzgerald@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-2540

 Donald Friske (R-Merrill), rep.friske@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7694

 Phil Garthwaite (D-Fennimore), rep.garthwaite@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-1170

 Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington), rep.gottlieb@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 267-2369

 Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee), rep.grigsby@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0645

 Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford), rep.gunderson@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3363

 Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin), rep.gundrum@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 267-5158

 Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie), rep.hebl@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7678

 Steve Hilgenberg (D-Dodgeville), rep.hilgenberg@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7502

 Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh), rep.hintz@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-2254

 Kim Hixson (D-Whitewater), rep.hixson@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-9650

 Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee), rep.honadel@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0610

 Ann Hraychuck (D-Balsam Lake), rep.hraychuck@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 267-2365

 Mary Hubler (D-Rice Lake), rep.hubler@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-2519

 Michael Huebsch (R-West Salem), rep.huebsch@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0631

 Andy Jorgensen (D-Ft. Atkinson), rep.jorgensen@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3790

 Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah), rep.kaufert@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5719

 Samantha Kerkman (R-Burlington), rep.kerkman@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-2530

 Frederick Kessler (D-Milwaukee), rep.kessler@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5813

 Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake), rep.kestell@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-8530

 Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc), rep.kleefisch@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-8551

 Dan Knodl (R-Germantown), rep.knodl@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3796

 Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha), rep.kramer@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-8580

 Peggy Krusick (D-Milwaukee), rep.krusick@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-1733

 Daniel LeMahieu (R-Cascade), rep.lemahieu@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-9175

 Thomas Lothian (R-Williams Bay), rep.lothian@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-1190

 Cory Mason (D-Racine), rep.mason@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0634

 Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River), rep.meyer@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7141

 Nick Milroy (D-Superior), rep.milroy@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0640

 Louis Molepske, Jr. (D-Stevens Point), rep.molepske@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 267-9649

 Phil Montgomery (R-Green Bay), rep.montgomery@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5840

 Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz), rep.mursau@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3780

 John Murtha (R-Baldwin), rep.murtha@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7683

 Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater), rep.nass@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5715

 Tom Nelson (D-Kaukauna), rep.nelson@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-2401

 Lee Nerison (R-Westby), rep.nerison@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3534

 Scott Newcomer (R-Pewaukee), rep.newcomer@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3007

 John Nygren (R-Marinette), rep.nygren@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-2343

 Alvin Ott (R-Forest Junction), Rep.Ott@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5831

 Jim Ott (R-Mequon), Rep.OttJ@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0486

 Joseph Parisi (D-Madison), rep.parisi@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5342

 Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca), rep.petersen@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3794

 Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon), rep.petrowski@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-1182

 Mark Pocan (D-Madison), rep.pocan@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-8570

 Sondy Pope-Roberts (D-Verona), Rep.Pope-Roberts@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3520

 Don Pridemore (R-Hartford), rep.pridemore@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 267-2367

 Mark Radcliffe (D-Black River Falls), rep.radcliffe@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7461

 Kitty Rhoades (R-Hudson), rep.rhoades@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-1526

 Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee), rep.richards@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0650

 Keith Ripp (R-Lodi), rep.ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3404

 Roger Roth, Jr. (R-Appleton), rep.roth@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7500

 Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids), rep.schneider@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0215

 Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville), rep.sheridan@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3387

 Gary Sherman (D-Port Wing), rep.sherman@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7690

 Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee), rep.sinicki@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-8588

 Jeffrey Smith (D-Eau Claire), rep.smith@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0660

 James Soletski (D-Green Bay), rep.soletski@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0485

 Richard Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh), rep.spanbauer@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 267-7990

 Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis), rep.staskunas@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0620

 John Steinbrink (D-Pleasant Prairie), rep.steinbrink@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0455

 Jeffrey Stone (R-Greendale), rep.stone@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-8590

 Pat Strachota (R-West Bend), rep.strachota@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 264-8486

 Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford), rep.suder@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 267-0280

 Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel), rep.tauchen@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3097

 Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee), rep.toles@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5580

 John Townsend (R-Fund du Lac), rep.townsend@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3156

 Robert Turner (D-Racine), rep.turner@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0731

 Terry Van Akkeren (D-Sheboygan), Rep.VanAkkeren@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0656

 Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay), Rep.VanRoy@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0616

 Robin Vos (R-Caledonia), rep.vos@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-9171

 Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa), rep.vukmir@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-9180

 Anette Williams (D-Milwaukee), Rep.WilliamsA@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0960

 Mary Williams (R-Medford), Rep.WilliamsM@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-7506

 Jeffrey Wood (I-Chippewa Falls), rep.wood@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-1194

 Leon Young (D-Milwaukee), rep.young@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-3796

 Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee), rep.zepnick@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-1707

 Bob Ziegelbauer (D-Manitowoc), rep.ziegelbauer@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-0315

 Ted Zigmunt (D-Francis Creek), rep.zigmunt@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-9870

 Richard Zipperer (R-Pewaukee), rep.zipperer@legis.wisconsin.gov; (608) 266-5120

Related Files

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Parity Action Alert - Assembly (PDF File)