NAMI HelpLine
Parity Regulations Published in Today’s Federal Register

Dec 22, 1997

As expected, the regulations implementing the federal Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 were jointly issued by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury in today’s Federal Register.

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Pivotal Victory for Americans With Severe Mental Illnesses

Dec 15, 1997

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) today lauded the Clinton Administration for standing behind a landmark law that ends at least some health insurance discrimination against millions of Americans with severe mental illnesses. The White House is expected to release a formal decision sometime next week.

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New HBO Documentary Unlocks The Mystery Behind Major Depression

Dec 10, 1997

Many of the 18 million Americans who live with severe depression suffer in silence because of the stigma attached to mental illness. That silence is broken in "Dead Blue: Surviving Depression," a new HBO documentary that chronicles the lives of three people suffering from depression and their families.

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NAMI Ranked Among Top 10 Charitable Organizations Nationwide

Dec 5, 1997

The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP), the nation's leading charity watchdog, awarded the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) an A-plus rating for its cost-effective charitable spending and fundraising practices. NAMI was one of only 10 groups throughout the country that received an A-plus rating out of a field of 340 nonprofit organizations.

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Interest in Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care Increasing

Nov 25, 1997

Recent conferences such as the third national Primary Care/Behavioral Healthcare Summit and the Medicaid Working Group's Managed Care and Disability: Consumer Needs and Quality Measures explored ways that primary care health plans can include behavioral health care services.

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President Clinton Signs Bill Intended to Speed Approval of New Drugs

Nov 21, 1997

President Clinton today signed legislation designed to reform the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug approval process. In addition to overhauling the drug approval process, the new law also renews the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), a popular law that assesses fees on pharmaceutical companies to hire additional FDA staff in order to more rapidly review their products' safety and efficacy.

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President’s Managed Care Consumer Bill of Rights Good Start, but More Work is Needed

Nov 20, 1997

NAMI views the President’s proposed managed care Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities released today as a necessary first step, but believes ongoing work is needed to assure quality and accountability for individuals with severe mental illnesses and their families.

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States Falling Short in Plans to Cover Children with Severe Mental Illnesses Under Landmark Health Insurance Program

Nov 18, 1997

Discrimination against children with severe mental illnesses may persist under the federal government’s new health insurance plan for children, suggests a study released today that examines existing mental health coverage in 16 states.

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JAMA Paper Shows That Mental Health Parity is Affordable

Nov 11, 1997

A paper published today (Nov. 12) in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) provides further evidence that equitable health insurance is affordable, according to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI).

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Discrimination Upheld in Maine

Nov 6, 1997

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) today expressed shock and dismay about a decision by Maine voters to retain a provision in the state's Constitution prohibiting individuals under guardianship due to mental illness from voting.

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NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).