APA Press Release
March 5, 2008

PAUL WELLSTONE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2007 (H.R.1424)

STATEMENT BY RANDY PHELPS, PH.D.

Interim Executive Director for Professional Practice American Psychological Association

“Today’s passage of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 brings us closer to ensuring equal treatment for millions of Americans with mental health and substance use disorders.

“When federal parity legislation becomes law more than 113 million Americans could benefit from greater access to treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.

“We call on congressional leaders to complete negotiations on a bill that can pass both chambers. We cannot let 2008 pass us by without finally enacting parity.”

The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 148,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting human welfare.