Kennedy Attends White House Signing of Landmark Mental Health Parity Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI), along with Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Pete Domenici, and Congressman Jim Ramstad, joined President George W. Bush in the Oval Office today for a ceremonial signing of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.  The ceremony commemorated the passage of landmark legislation which prohibits discriminatory restrictions on mental health and addiction treatments. 

“It has been an honor to work with my colleagues and the President to enact a mental health bill which will meaningfully impact the lives of over 100 million Americans.   The signing of parity legislation, which ensures mental health and physical health benefits are treated equally, is a remarkable achievement.  I would like to thank my friend and colleague, Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-MN) for his wisdom and guidance over the many years we worked together on this legislation.  I also want to commend Speaker Pelosi and the House Leadership team for making mental health parity a top priority, Chairmen Dingell, Rangel, and Miller for their leadership, and the 273 members of the House of Representatives who joined us by cosponsoring this bill.  It has also been an honor to work closely with Senator Pete Domenici and, especially, my father Senator Ted Kennedy to move this legislation forward.  Finally, I want to personally thank the President for his strong support.  Throughout this entire process, President Bush has steadfastly expressed his support for mental health parity.  It was a pleasure to join him today at this bipartisan ceremony.  Mental health parity is another stride in the long civil rights struggle to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to reach their potential,” said Kennedy.

“For far too long, the stigma of mental illness and addiction has been used as an excuse to deny equitable insurance coverage for those biological disorders.  The parity law outlaws this discriminatory practice, effectively opening a new door to treatments that will save lives.  I was honored to represent the outstanding mental health and addiction treatment advocacy organizations, and the countless individuals who shared their stories, at today’s memorable White House signing,” said Kennedy.

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