Regarding the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Amendments of 1999

For Immediate Release
Date: April 13, 1999

The American Psychological Association applauds Representatives Marge Roukema (R-NJ), Robert Wise (D-WV) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) for their efforts to provide nondiscriminatory insurance coverage for those with mental health care needs. Their full parity bill, an expansion of the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996, will close all loopholes -- involving discriminatory arbitrary day and session limits, co-insurance, deductibles, maximum out-of-pocket payments, and out-of-network charges that are in current Federal law -- and help millions of people who need psychological care.

We are extremely grateful for the leadership shown by the Representatives in creating and sponsoring this comprehensive proposal. Their diligent efforts have resulted in a strong mental health parity bill – one that we hope will balance the increased efforts by managed care plans to control costs at the expense of quality care. This parity bill is needed to create a level playing field in health insurance coverage.

Furthermore, we are gratified that the bill will affect all Americans who have private insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse disorders -- not just those with specific disorders.

This legislative proposal is good news for those who suffer from mental health disorders and their families. Congress should pass this bill to help insure adequate and appropriate access to quality psychological services for millions of Americans.