The one silver lining of the Wall Street bailout legislation that was just passed and signed into law by the President is the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. It has been a long journey that has finally come to an end.
“This bill is a major achievement, one I know my dad would be proud of,” said David Wellstone. “This bill will go a long way to ease the pain and suffering of those with mental illness and addiction, and I am proud to have been part of this effort. It’s a great day.” David Wellstone is the co-founder of Wellstone Action, an organization that has been mobilizing support for the bill.
Read the Wellstone Action announcement here.
Peace & solidarity,
CHC
I’m thrilled at the new law. I only hope that there aren’t too many unintended consequences. One of the possible ones I worry about is the companies flatly dropping MH/SUD benefits entirely, since there is no requirement that they provide MH/SUD benefits when they provide medical benefits. That’s one thing I would have liked to have seen.