Political Quotes

“I submit for the Record an article that ran in The Washington Post yesterday about the discrimination that individuals with a history of mental illness face in our current health insurance market. The story documents the dilemma of Michelle Witte who was denied health insurance coverage because she was successfully treated for depression during her adolescence. In fact, more than 50 million Americans each year suffer from mental illness. About 19 percent of the Nation's adults and 21 percent of the youths aged 9 to 17 have a mental disorder at some time during a one-year period. Last Congress I introduced legislation to address the barriers faced by Michelle Witte and thousands like her who have been treated for a mental condition. I plan to reintroduce this legislation this spring, and I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort. The Mental Health Patients' Rights Act limits the ability of health plans to redline individuals with a preexisting mental health condition.”