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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2007
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Contact: Zach Goldberg
202-225-5801 (office) |
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HOLT HOSTS MENTAL HEALTH ROUNDABLE AT
CARRIER CLINIC TO ADDRESS MEETING CARE NEEDS
Holt also urges Congressional Adoption of Strong Mental Health Parity Legislation
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(Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today held a roundtable on mental health with local and national mental health advocates at Carrier Clinic in Belle Meade, New Jersey. Participants addressed the economic and social costs associated with mental health and ways to better meet the needs of the population. Holt also called for the passage of legislation – the “Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007” – that would require insurance companies to provide equal benefits for mental health and substance abuse treatment as our provided for medical and surgical treatment. David Wellstone, son of the late Senator Paul Wellstone phoned in to the discussion, as did Rep. Patrick Kennedy (RI-1), the lead House co-sponsor of the legislation.
“Because I know that mental health is essential to leading a healthy life and to the development and realization of a person’s full potential and because employers benefit from healthy employees, I am hosting this discussion to understand better what the costs are to our society from our failure to meet the mental health needs of our population,” Holt said. “Today’s participants are all on the front lines of mental health care and each brings a unique perspective to this discussion.
“I am pleased to share with them Patrick Kennedy’s optimistic assessment that Congress will pass legislation this year giving Americans full mental health coverage,” Holt added.
Additional participants included Mary Jo Codey, wife of former Governor and Senate President Richard Codey and an outspoken advocate on mental health issues; Richard Sarle, CEO & President, Mary Pawlikowski, COO, Dr. David Greenspan, Medical Director, Carol Kostzyo, RN, VP of Patient Services, Trish Toole, VP, and Randy Jacobson, CFO, Carrier Clinic; Mimi Ballard, Executive Director, Elizabeth Read, Resource Development Director, Victoria Weisfeld, Vice President, Family and Children’s Services of Central NJ; Eleanor Letcher, CONTACT of Mercer County; Debora Wentz and Judy Remington, NJ Association of Mental Health Agencies; Candice Singer, NJ Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependency; and Efrem B. Dlugacz, Johnson and Johnson.
“I would like to personally thank Representative Rush Holt for giving Carrier Clinic the opportunity to host this very important roundtable discussion on mental health parity this afternoon,” Carrier CEO Richard Sarle said. “Mental health parity is a major step toward diminishing mental health and addiction stigma, making it easier for people to access the treatment they need.”
According to the World Health Organization, mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States for individuals ages 15-44. One in every five people in our country will experience a mental illness. Yet of the 44 million Americans who suffer from a mental health disorder, only one-third receive treatment.
This is despite a landmark 1999 Surgeon General’s Report (entitled Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General) that made clear that for those who suffer from mental illness, “mental disorders are treatable…there is generally not just one but a range of treatments of proven efficacy.” Despite proven treatments, due to the social stigma and lack of understanding, lack of insurance and cost of treatment mental illness goes untreated. As a result, mental illness and substance abuse are a leading cause of disability and premature mortality.
The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007, of which Holt is a cosponsor, would cover mental illness at the same level as physical illness for the 187 million Americans who currently have insurance coverage under non-self-insured plans, approximately 84 percent of the population. H.R. 1424 would prevent the lack of treatment by bringing down the two primary reasons Americans did not seek mental health services. According to a 2004 survey by the American Psychological Association, Americans say that lack of insurance and cost are the leading factors for not seeking mental health services.
“New Jersey already requires this parity, but extending this law across the nation is important for getting the mentally ill the treatment they need, increasing productivity, and keeping families together,” Holt said. “This bill passed the House Committee on Education and Labor, with my support. As a cosponsor and dedicated supporter, I am very hopeful that this necessary legislation will be voted on by the full House soon.”
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