Americans to Congress: Pass Mental Health Parity Legislation; New Survey Shows Americans Support Parity Even If They Have to Pay For It

10/2/2002

From: Holly Anderson of the National Mental Health Association, 703-797-4306 or handerson@nmha.org

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 2 -- A whopping 83 percent of Americans believe it's unfair for health insurance companies to limit mental health benefits and require people to pay much more out-of-pocket for mental health care than for any other medical care. And an overwhelming majority of Americans (79 percent) support parity legislation even if it results in an increase in their health insurance premiums, according to a survey released today by the National Mental Health Association (NMHA).

"The writing's on the wall here. The American public believes insurance discrimination is unfair and supports mental health parity; the President asked Congress to pass legislation this year, and a majority of Congress supports it," said Michael M. Faenza, President and CEO of NMHA. "It's time for Congress to pass mental health parity legislation."

The Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act, H.R. 4066, currently has 243 supporters. The companion bill has the support of two-thirds of the Senate. The number of national organizations that support this legislation has climbed to 237. But House leaders have taken no action to move parity legislation.

"The House leadership is defying the will of the American people," said Faenza. "We're running out of time. The President pledged to work with the Speaker and others to pass legislation this year that provides full mental health parity. We need the President to call for that legislation now."

Survey respondents from across the country in all age groups consistently support parity legislation even if it increases their health insurance premiums by $1 a month. The Congressional Budget Office projects that enactment of the legislation would result in premium increases of less than 1 percent. For more information about the survey, mental health parity, or for personal stories from people who are suffering without the coverage they need, please call 703-797-4306, or visit www.nmha.org.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted via telephone from September 27-30, 2002 by Opinion Research Corporation. The national probability sample of 1049 adults was comprised of 519 men and 530 women who are 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States. Completed interviews are weighted by four variables-age, sex, geographic region and race-to ensure accurate representation of the total population. The margin of error is plus or minus 2-3 percent.

------ The National Mental Health Association is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.