NAMI HelpLine
National Report Card To Show Managed Care Shortcomings

Sep 11, 1997

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) will release the results of a survey assessing how well managed care organizations are treating persons with severe mental illnesses.

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NAMI Blasts Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating for Veto of Insurance Parity Bill as Anti-Family and Anti-Taxpayer

Jul 31, 1997

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) blasted Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating for his veto of HB 1077, which would have required Oklahoma insurance companies to offer equal overage for mental illness to the same extent as for other physical illnesses.

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Nearly 40 Percent Of Older Suicide Victims See Doctor During Week Before Killing Themselves

Jul 25, 1997

Suicide rates in older persons are on the rise and, yet, symptoms of depression are rarely recognized and treated in this population, reports the current issue of the Decade of the Brain, a quarterly science-based publication of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). As many as nine out of ten older persons who have depression do not get treatment for this disorder.

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NAMI Praises Senate in Landmark Move to End Discrimination Against Children with Severe Mental Illnesses

Jun 24, 1997

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) today applauded passage of a Senate amendment designed to ensure that health plans offered to children as part of a new federal program do not discriminate against children with severe mental illnesses.

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NAMI Applauds Governor Bush and Texas Legislature For Ending Insurance Discrimination in Coverage For Severe Mental Illness

Jun 23, 1997

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) today praised Texas Governor George Bush and Texas lawmakers for taking a stand against insurance discrimination. HB 1173, signed into law by the Governor on Friday, requires insurance companies to provide insurance parity, coverage for brain disorders on par with other physical illnesses.

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Parity Becomes Law in Vermont

Jun 17, 1997

Vermont Governor Howard Dean today took a significant step towards ending insurance discrimination against people with brain disorders.

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National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Assails PacifiCare For Restricting Access to Effective Medications

May 22, 1997

Earlier this year, PacifiCare, California's second largest health maintenance organization (HMO), removed two antidepressants, Prozac and Zoloft, and one antipsychotic, Risperdal, from its list of covered drugs -- a decision which leaves consumers with few choices in drug therapy. This policy limitation will affect more than 15 percent of the 2 million members who belong to PacifiCare.

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People With Severe Mental Illness Speak Out For The First Time In Study On Effects Of Stigma

May 20, 1997

One in three individuals with severe mental illness has been turned down for a job for which they were qualified because of a psychiatric label, according to a new study released today at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI).

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U.S. Senator Pete Domenici, Mrs. Nancy Domenici To be Honored by New Mexico Alliance for the Mentally Ill

May 14, 1997

Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association, will lead a tribute to U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Mrs. Nancy Domenici hosted by the New Mexico state affiliate of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI).

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Parity in Missouri

Apr 24, 1997

The Missouri legislature has a unique opportunity to rectify a great wrong. For too long, people with severe mental illnesses have been denied adequate health insurance coverage. HB 335 would establish nondiscriminatory parity coverage in managed healthcare plans for major mental illnesses.

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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).