Fairness Coalition Applauds Senate Passage of Mental Health P...( WASHINGTON Sept. 19 -- The Coali...),Health

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Fairness in Mental Illness Coverage commends the United States Senate for passing S. 558, the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007, setting the stage for enactment of a strong parity bill. This legislation -- because of the leadership of Senators Pete V. Domenici (R-NM), Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Michael B. Enzi (R-WY) -- will make mental health and substance use disorder insurance coverage on par with physical health care coverage for American workers and their families.

"The Senate passage of S. 558 ends ten years of gridlock surrounding mental health parity legislation, moving us closer to providing equitable coverage for American workers and their families with mental and substance use disorders," said Pamela Greenberg, chair of the Coalition for Fairness in Mental Illness Coverage. "The legislation has unprecedented support from consumers, providers, hospitals, employers and health insurers. We can't miss this opportunity to provide 113 million Americans with equitable coverage."

The Coalition for Fairness in Mental Illness Coverage, representing America's leading mental health advocacy groups has worked side-by-side with the Senate sponsors and the business and insurance community to develop this bill.

About the Coalition for Fairness in Mental Illness Coverage

The Coalition for Fairness in Mental Illness Coverage represents consumers, family members, health professionals, health care systems, and administrators. It consists of the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, Federation of American Hospitals, Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness and National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems.