Parity Implementation Coalition Applauds Hearing to Examine How Delay of the Final Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Final Rule has Impacted Families
Washington, DC (PRWEB) November 06, 2013 -- Members of the Parity Implementation Coalition applaud Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Dick Blumenthal for convening a hearing on November 7 at the Senate Judiciary Oversight Subcommittee entitled, “Justice Denied: Rules Delayed on Auto Safety and Mental Health.”
Coalition members are pleased the hearing will examine delays in final regulations and how those delays impact the lives of millions of Americans. Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy will testify on the congressional intent of the law and what he learned from individuals and families, veterans and industry experts on how parity implementation is faring as he toured the country on a 12 city “Patriots for Parity” tour, cosponsored by the Parity Implementation Coalition. A summary of these field hearings is available at http://www.parityispersonal.org.
“As part of the Coalition, APA has worked closely with Congressman Patrick Kennedy and fellow members to communicate the critical need for a final parity rule that achieves true enforcement of the law,” said American Psychiatric Association President Jeffrey Lieberman, M.D. “Patients and their loved ones have long awaited an end to discrimination against mental health care and look forward to the equity to which they are entitled under the law.”
Pat Taylor, Executive Director of Faces & Voices of Recovery, said, “Faces & Voices is committed to ending insurance discrimination against individuals with addiction and mental illness and is pleased this hearing shines a light on the real problems individuals are having in accessing the care they need to get well.”
Carol McDaid, Parity Implementation Coalition, http://www.parityispersonal.org, +1 (202) 737-8168, [email protected]
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