CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE
ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG TREATMENT PARITY LEGISLATION (7/17/98)
Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN), sponsor of S. 1147, the
Substance Parity Act of 1997, has indicated he intends to
offer his bill as an amendment to pending legislation.
BACKGROUND
Senator Wellstone and Representative Jim Ramstad (R-MN)
introduced the legislation last year that would provide
access to chemical dependency treatment on par with treatment
for other diseases covered by health plans. A vote could
take place as early as July 20 or 21. Senator Wellstone has
asked for grassroots support for his efforts on the floor of
the Senate. (see also the Action Alert from 9/2/97)
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Call the Capitol Hill switchboard — 202/224-3121 — and ask for your senators' offices. Or e-mail your senators at The
U. S. Senate.
Tell him or her:
- you want them to vote "YES" when Senator Wellstone offers the Substance Abuse Parity Act as an amendment to the legislation regarding a patient's bill of rights.
- There are effective, available treatments for people who suffer from alcoholism and other drug addictions, and it is imperative that those who need it have access to it.
If you have any questions, please contact the Public Policy Office via e-mail at publicpolicy@ncadd.org.