WASHINGTON  – House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today released the following statement regarding passage of H.R. 1424, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Substance Addiction Equity Act.

“The science and medical communities have made great progress in diagnosing and treating mental illness, yet a stigma and disparity in insurance coverage still remains. With the staggering rise of health care costs, this legislation comes at an important time. The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Substance Addiction Equity act will end the discrimination against patients seeking treatment for mental illness.

“H.R. 1424 will alleviate some of the financial hardships being endured by families coping with mental health or substance related disorders by mandating that health coverage providers do not charge higher fees for mental health and addiction care than they charge for other medical benefits. This bill also authorizes the Department of Labor and Department of Health and Human Services to penalize group health plans who offer discriminatory or inflated fees for mental health coverage.

“Ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable and quality health care options, regardless of their illness, will continue to be a top priority for this New Direction Congress as we move our country forward.”

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