CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE
105th Congress
TREATMENT PARITY LEGISLATION (9/2/97)
Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN) and Representative Jim Ramstad (R-MN) are preparing to introduce legislation that will prohibit discriminatory limits on substance abuse treatment in comparison with other medical benefits.
BACKGROUND:
Currently, health care benefits for alcoholism and other drug dependencies can be more restrictive and carry lower yearly caps and lifetime limits on coverage than those imposed on other physical medical conditions. Last year, Congress passed a law that prohibited benefit discrimination against mental health care. The substance abuse parity legislation, which is scheduled to be introduced September 4, 1997, is similar to the mental health requirement.
The bill, which does not yet have a number, will prohibit limits on treatment for substance abuse if there are no limits on other medical services. The bill will not require that substance abuse treatment be offered as part of a health care coverage plan. It will also include an exception for businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard (202/224-3121) and ask for your senators' and represetnative's offices. Or e-mail them at:
The U. S. House of Representatives and The U. S. Senate.
Tell them:
- You want them to co-sponsor the Substance Abuse Treatment Parity legislation that will be introduced by Senator Wellstone and Representative Ramstad.
- Alcoholism and other drug dependencies are illnesses that can be effectively treated with adequate and appropriate care.
- Providing parity in treatment for alcoholism and other drug dependencies is cost-effective and will help increase
productivity for businesses.
For more information on this issue, contact the Public Policy Office via e-mail at publicpolicy@ncadd.org.