x-post: Fwd: US S.558--Take Action, Call, Write an email,CALL! CALL! CALL!

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From Jim Mulick. Message below.

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Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 (Reported in U.S. Senate) [s.558.RS]

http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:S.558.RS:

To locate/contact your U.S. Senator

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

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Mulick <mulick.1@...> wrote: Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007 22:02:09

-0400

From: Mulick <mulick.1@...>

Subject: Take Action, Call, Write an email,CALL! CALL! CALL!

" Call Your Senator! Help Children Get The Help They Need! Autism and all MH

Comorbidities of Developmental Disabilities will be Covered.

Spread the WORD!

The full U.S. Senate is expected to consider the Mental Health Parity Act (S.

558) in the next few weeks. As you know this bill will end insurance

discrimination against mental health coverage. It extends to over 113 million

Americans full parity protections for all aspects of plan coverage, including

day/visit limits, dollar limits, coinsurance, deductibles and out-of-pocket

maximums. Among those benefiting are the 82 million Americans in ERISA plans

who currently do not have full parity and cannot receive it under state laws.

The bill covers substance use disorders and both in-network and out-of-network

services while preserving the effect of state parity laws on the small and

individual markets. It is a strong bill that must pass the Senate to make

parity a reality this year.

The APA Practice Organization played a critical role in drafting the

legislation and ensured that the preemption of state laws sought by

traditional parity opponents was very narrow and limited to just the

financial requirements and treatment limits in state mental health parity

laws. These state laws will be replaced by a strong federal standard ­ full

parity. Specifically preserved are provisions of state laws that require

coverage of diagnoses (a key concern of coalition members) and all other

provisions and laws pertaining to consumer protections and benefit mandates.

With the full Senate preparing to vote, we need you to call your contacts

in Senate offices by Wednesday, June 20 to urge their Senators to VOTE YES on S.

558. "

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Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 (Reported in U.S. Senate) [s.558.RS]

http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:S.558.RS:

To locate/contact your U.S. Senator

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

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A. Mulick, Ph.D.

Professor in Pediatrics & Psychology

The Ohio State University

Children's Hospital Psychology

Developmental Assessment Program

187 West Schrock Road

Westerville OH 43081

614-355-8315

[No Institutional Endorsement of Message Content Implied - or even remotely

likely]