Pete Stark: “It's an important day, and we've been working to achieve mental health parity for decades. We finally have a bill before…”

“It's an important day, and we've been working to achieve mental health parity for decades. We finally have a bill before us to achieve that goal for more than 160 million Americans. And as my colleagues know, this bill is named for one of its chief proponents, the late Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, a true champion for all people, especially those suffering from mental illness and addiction disorders. I would like to recognize the efforts of Paul's son, David Wellstone, who has been commuting from California to lobby Members of Congress to help get this bill enacted. His dad would be proud. Wellstone Action is one of the hundreds of groups supporting this legislation. Here in the House, our colleague from Minnesota, Jim Ramstad, and our colleague from Rhode Island, Patrick Kennedy, have been lead advocates. They've done a stunning job getting 273 cosponsors, including 41 Republicans, a real bipartisan feat in this day and age. The real reason we're bringing forth this bill is to end discrimination in health insurance for people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders.”