It Has Finally Happened! Mental Health Parity Has Been Passed and Signed by the President!
Thanks to all of you and our country's policymakers, who have finally made Mental Health Parity a reality. It's hard to believe this has finally happened after working so hard for the past six years! DBSA is so proud to be working with all of you!
By a vote of 263-171, the House finally passed the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (HR 1424). The President has signed the bill, making it a law.
The law passed provides parity between medical-surgical and mental health and addiction benefits in plans that offer mental health coverage. It will prohibit health insurance plans sponsored by businesses with 50 or more employees from imposing day and visit limits or applying different deductibles, co-payments, out-of-network charges and other financial requirements for treatment.
We are celebrating the passage of Mental Health Parity only because of the dedication, commitment and fortitude of advocates, like you, who have hung in their for the long haul. Since the beginning of the year, more than 38,000 letters have been sent through DBSAlliance Legislative Action Center (LAC) in support of Parity. While the legislation doesn't mean better coverage for every one of us - it is a huge step in accessing the equitable mental healthcare we so desperately need.
Now that we passed this hurdle, we have another very important task. And that is to make your voice heard in the upcoming November (8) election. To prepare you for this important participation in our democracy, DBSA has created an election center:
Mi Vote Counts (Election Resources for People Living with Mental Illness).
"MI Vote Counts" offers everything from side-by-side comparisons of the presidential candidates' positions to information on the role of the Electoral College. Users can also find their local polling place. There is even a section on political trivia for history buffs. While the center is both informative and entertaining, it is designed to convey the message that knowledge is power and individuals must be educated and well informed in order to make wise decisions in November's election.
It Couldn't Be Easier.
To find out more about legislators or the presidential candidates, users can simply click on the "Guide to Congress" and enter their zip code for a list of that district's federal, state and local officials. Users can find out how the candidates voted on specific legislation, what committees they serve on as well as who has donated to their campaign.
"MI Vote Counts" also allows visitors to send letters on pressing issues to their legislators. A click on the "Action Alert" box will take the user to page with a sample letter that can be sent "as is" or edited to include a personal story. The letter also reflects whether that legislator has supported, opposed or not voted on the issue in the past. Users can enter their contact information and send the letter with a simple click of the mouse. While "MI Vote Counts" focuses on mental health legislation with the consumer in mind, friends, families and the general public will find the site useful to research other issues and legislation as well
So while we are happy celebrating today - tomorrow will the time to start thinking about the Presidential election.
To go to the Election Center, click the link at the top of the DBSA homepage or type dbsalliance.org/vote into your search engine.
One Person Can Make a Difference.