Amy Klobuchar: “I rise to commend the House for bringing today before the House a step that will bring our Nation closer to achieving…”

“I rise to commend the House for bringing today before the House a step that will bring our Nation closer to achieving long overdue fairness for people suffering from mental illness and chemical dependency. We are now one step closer as the House considers this important mental health parity bill today, one step closer to realizing the dream of my friend, the late Senator Paul Wellstone, who championed equality for those with mental health needs, until his untimely death in 2002. If this law passes, as it should, we can thank the persistence of leaders such as Representatives Jim Ramstad and Patrick Kennedy; we can thank Senators Pete Domenici and Ted Kennedy; and we can thank the Wellstone sons, particularly David, who continues to carry the torch lit by his father. While Federal law may not alleviate the stigma that surrounds mental illness, it can bring us closer to ending insurance discrimination and easing the unfair financial burden borne by patients and their families. Most health care plans currently have barriers to mental health and chemical dependency treatment.”