"Mental health parity bills gain steam in Congress"
Nina Petersen-Perlman
Star Tribune
November 01, 2007
The Senate has passed one version; the House is to vote this month on a measure similar to one championed by the late Paul Wellstone. Five years after the death of Sen. Paul Wellstone, a groundbreaking bill he championed requiring health insurers to cover mental health conditions in the same way as physical ailments is gaining political momentum and could finally become law.
The late senator pushed for so-called "mental health parity," in part because his brother had bipolar disorder. Last month, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved its version of the legislation. A more ambitious House bill, which has 270 cosponsors, is scheduled for a vote later this month.
Critics of the more sweeping House version -- mainly in the insurance and health care industries -- warn that it could drive up costs and even cause some people to lose benefits...
Star Tribune
November 01, 2007
The Senate has passed one version; the House is to vote this month on a measure similar to one championed by the late Paul Wellstone. Five years after the death of Sen. Paul Wellstone, a groundbreaking bill he championed requiring health insurers to cover mental health conditions in the same way as physical ailments is gaining political momentum and could finally become law.
The late senator pushed for so-called "mental health parity," in part because his brother had bipolar disorder. Last month, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved its version of the legislation. A more ambitious House bill, which has 270 cosponsors, is scheduled for a vote later this month.
Critics of the more sweeping House version -- mainly in the insurance and health care industries -- warn that it could drive up costs and even cause some people to lose benefits...
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