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Yesterday, I addressed the employees and invited guests at a ribbon-cutting
ceremony at the Steinenger Behavioral Care Services in Cherry Hill, N.J.
I thanked this organization for the invaluable service they provide
to our community by helping patients and their families cope with menatl
illness. Despite the tremendous work done by organizations like Steinenger
Behavioral Care Services to benefit individuals afflicted with a mental
illness, there exists a signigficant void in the quality and availability
of mental health services in our Nation.
While many health insurers currently offer excellent benefits to cover
physical ailments, they do not offer comparable coverage to treat mental
illnesses or substance abuse. As the Ranking Democrat on the Employee-Employer
Relations Subcommittee, I have worked with the members of this organization
to ensure that individuals with mental illnesses receive the same care
as would a patient with a broken leg or life-threatening disease.
I have cosponsored HR 162, the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity
Amendments of 2001, which would prohibit group and individual health plans
from imposing treatment limitations or financial requirements on the coverage
of mental health benefits. It will also require that a health plan cover
substance abuse and chemical dependency benefits if similar limitations
or requirements are not imposed on medical and surgical benefits. It is
important that our nation's health care system provide proper medical care
for mental health and substance abuse problems. I believe this legislation
is an important step in that direction and I would urge my colleagues in
Congress to join with me by supporting this measure.
To view a copy of this legislation go to the "Cosponsored Legislation"
link on our homepage and scroll down to item 61.
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