Media contact: Lee Carty, 202-467-5730 x 121, leec@bazelon.org

 

For Immediate Release
March 8, 2007

Kennedy Tells Advocates No More Deals With Insurance Companies

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2007-- Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) told policymakers and mental health advocates today that letting insurance companies define mental illness when setting limits on coverage is “bogus.” Kennedy and other policymakers addressed nearly 100 members of the mental health community during the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law’s “Working Breakfast” at the Columbus Club in Washington, DC.

Kennedy yesterday, with Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-MN), introduced “The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act ”(H.R. 1367) to require group health plans that offer benefits for mental health and addiction to do so on the same terms as care for other conditions.

“We can’t cut any deals with insurance companies,” said Kennedy, pointing out that United Medical, for example, made $60 billion in the last quarter alone. “We have to be clear here. Letting them define what a mental illness is and what it isn’t is just not kosher.”

The proposed legislation would close the loopholes that allow plans to charge higher co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits and impose lower day and visit limits on mental health and addiction care. Kennedy told the advocates that challenges to the bill were all about insurance companies making more money.

At the breakfast session, Connie Garner, Policy Director for Disability and Special Populations for Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, said that parity is this Congress’ first stab at insurance reform.

“If it [parity] happens…it will be the first time you will ever see any insurance reform--it’s a small slice but it is insurance reform….This is the closest we’ve ever been,” said Garner.

 Martin Tolchin, Senior Publisher and Editor of The Politico, noted said that so far there are 609 bills on mental health issues in this new Congress--more than a 50- percent increase over the last Congress. The issues addressed by this legislation should be of great importance to the media.

“I know the mental health community is leery of the media and feel that journalists are only interested in sensationalism,” said Tolchin. “However, I have always seen my role as putting things in context.” He urged advocates to help reporters find the context.

The event featured a question-and-answer session between panelists and the mental health community concerning mental health-related legislation, including mental health parity, child mental health, custody relinquishment and criminalization of people with mental illnesses.

“This is the year for mental health issues, this is the time to be able to get the funding for mental health services,” said Garner. “Not just parity, but getting the dollars to fix the mental health system in this country.”

For more information on this event including photos and transcripts, contact LaWanda Johnson at lawandaj@bazelon.org.