Opening Statement
Thank you Chairman Kennedy and Senator Gregg for taking this opportunity to examine the importance of equitable access to mental health care. Achieving parity for mental health treatment is an important step towards ending discriminatory practices against persons suffering from mental disorders.
The toll that mental illness takes on our society cannot be ignored. One in five Americans over age 18 suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. In 1997, more than 30,000 people died from suicide in the U.S. Using disability- adjusted life years as a measure, major depression ranks second only to heart disease in magnitude of disease burden.
Also of concern is the impact of mental illness on adolescents and children. The suicide rate in young people has increased dramatically over the last few decades. In 1997, suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds. It is estimated that eight million Americans suffer from eating disorders, most of which are adolescents and young adults. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 10 people with anorexia die of starvation, cardiac arrest or other complications.
Despite the fact that eating disorders are among the most lethal of all mental illnesses, I have heard stories from young people with anorexia who say that they have been sent home from the hospital despite because they have reached their maximum number of inpatient hospital days. The Eating Disorder Coalition for Research, Policy & Action reports that, although patients with eating disorders typically require 6 weeks of inpatient therapy, insurance companies offer an average of 10 –15 days.
The stories and statistics are alarming, but we can help alleviate this suffering. The “Mental Health Parity Act of 1996” was an important first step towards ensuring that treatment for mental illnesses was considered as important as treatment for physical illness. As all of you know, the “Mental Health Parity Act of 1996” is due to expire at the end of September and we have learned from our experiences with the current legislation.
I am pleased to be cosponsoring the “Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2001” that has been the focus of so much hard work and dedication by Senators Domenci and Wellstone. The “Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2001” offers greater protection from discriminatory practices by health plans.
I would like to commend Senators Domenici and Wellstone for their long- standing commitment to ensuring equitable treatment for persons suffering from mental illness. I would also like to thank Mr. Flynn for the important work he and others at the Office of Personnel Management have done to implement mental health parity for federal employees, Lisa Cohen for bravely sharing and allowing us to learn and benefit from her experiences, and all of the other witnesses who have each come to share their unique perspective.
I look forward to your testimonies and to working further on improving access to mental health care for all Americans.
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