Gregg Amendment Undermines Mental Health Parity Bill

Gregg Amendment Undermines Mental Health Parity Bill

URGENT - PLEASE ACT UPON THIS IMMEDIATELY.

California's Senators are:

Senator Dianne Feinstein
US Senate
Hart Building, #331
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 415-393-0707
Fax: 415-393-0710
senator@feinstein.senate.gov

Senator Barbara Boxer
US Senate
Hart Building, #112
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 415-403-0100
Fax: 415-956-6701
senator@boxer.senate.gov

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May 13, 2004

To: NAMI Leaders
From: Andrew Sperling, Director, Legislative Affairs
Re: Parity Update

Over the past few days, Senator Domenici and Senator Kennedy have been in intense discussions with Senate leaders including Senator Frist and Senator Gregg to agree on a process for expediting passage of mental illness insurance parity legislation (S. 486). The agreement will allow for immediate passage of the legislation with a vote on a single amendment to be offered by Senator Gregg. While we do not yet know the provisions in the Gregg amendment, it is expected to undermine the intent of the bill by allowing health plans an exemption based on cost increases, or would strip out important protections such as the parity requirement for financial limitations (cost sharing and deductibles).

Senators Domenici and Kennedy will be asking NAMI to assist in a grassroots effort to defeat this expected Gregg amendment. The situation remains fluid and is changing hourly, however, it is important to begin contacting your Senators to urge them to support expedited passage of S. 486 and to oppose any Gregg amendment to undermine important protections against insurance discrimination.

NAMI is extremely encouraged by these efforts. We are close to bypassing committee action, which could have delayed the bill for months. We will be providing updates soon through e-news and alerts to state leaders. If you have any questions, contact Andrew Sperling at 703-516-7222.

More information on Mental Health parity legislation:

Small Business Association bill would weaken mental health parity >>

Last Updated on 05/13/04 webmaster@namiscc.org

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