Arlen Specter: “I believe there ought to be mental health parity. The reasons which he has given are very persuasive. The concern I have…”

“I believe there ought to be mental health parity. The reasons which he has given are very persuasive. The concern I have is it is legislation on an appropriations bill, and the concern as to whether there are tax implications to include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and catastrophic maximums which would provide a basis for a so-called blue slip by the House of Representatives. We can handle that in due course. I am going to await the arguments. I would like to find some way to accommodate this amendment. I am just not sure at this point that it is possible. But I wanted to express those views at this time.”