Christopher Shays: “I rise in support of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act. It is reported 50 million adults, 25…”

“I rise in support of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act. It is reported 50 million adults, 25 percent of the U.S. adult population, suffer from mental disorders or substance abuse disorders; yet, despite the prevalence of mental illness, there continues to be widespread misinformation and ignorance surrounding the condition. We need to work to destigmatize this illness and ensure those who need treatment have access to care. At the same time, we need to increase biomedical research into the causes of, and treatments for, mental illness. It is estimated 98 percent of private health insurance plans discriminate against patients seeking treatment for mental illness by requiring higher copayments, allowing fewer doctor visits or days in the hospital, or requiring larger deductibles than imposed on other medical illnesses. The National Institutes of Mental Health estimates the annual health care costs of untreated mental illness is $70 billion, and data has shown that instituting equal coverage for treatment of mental illness will result in lower overall health care costs. By requiring insurers who cover mental illnesses to do so at parity with physical illnesses, we will knock down a tremendous barrier to getting the assistance these individuals require. While I support the underlying bill, I believe we should temporarily hold off for now increasing the Medicaid drug rebate provisions intended to raise revenue to pay for this legislation.”