April 8, 2004
Insurance Parity Update – Effort Launched to Push for Senate Action
The Senate has begun a 10-day spring recess during with senators will be in their home states until April 20. During this time NAMI is launching an all out effort to help Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) force action on their bill to require health plans to cover treatment for mental illness on the same terms and conditions as all other illnesses – insurance parity.
Action Required
All NAMI advocates are strongly encouraged to contact their senators to urge them to support quick action on mental illness parity legislation, S 486. Senators should be encouraged to contact Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee Chairman Judd Gregg (R-NH) to urge them to bring S 486 to the full Senate for a vote as soon as possible.
During the current spring recess, senators will be at town meetings, on radio call-in shows and other public appearances. Advocates are urged to raise the issue of parity legislation wherever possible. In addition, phone calls and letters are also encouraged.
Enter your zip code below to access a sample letter on this issue and a list of your reprentatives to contact now. If you do not see the box for entering your zip code, click here.
NAMI advocates can also use a toll-free Parity Hotline, 1-866-parity4 (1-866-727-4894) and be connected to their senator’s offices.
Click here for some Background information on Mental Illness Insurance Parity Legislation.
