Advocates Celebrate House Passage of Mental Health Parity Bill
Mental Health America cheers historic step, sustains advocacy on other key issues
 Conventional wisdom dictates that Congress accomplishes
very little in a presidential election year.
But it is still early in the congressional session and the
House of Representatives has already passed a strong
mental health insurance parity bill. That's not only a
historic step but a critical development that has revived
momentum behind parity, which hasn't seen action since
the Senate passed its parity bill in September.
Parity Moves Forward
Some question whether the Senate and House will bridge their differences over
parity legislation—which would provide equal coverage for mental and physical
illnesses—but it is worth noting that Congress passed the original Mental Health
Parity Act in a presidential election year.
Capitol Hill continued...
New Survey Uncovers Obstacles To General Health Care for People with Schizophrenia
Respondents Say Overall Health Key to Recovery
Here’s a shocking statistic: People with serious mental illnesses such as
schizophrenia die at least 25 years earlier, on average, than people in the
general population, mostly due to preventable medical conditions like diabetes,
heart disease and infectious diseases.
A new survey released by Mental Health America, "Communicating About
Health: A Mental Health America Survey of People with Schizophrenia and
Providers," for the first time brings together the perspectives of psychiatrists
and people with schizophrenia, and exposes roadblocks to overall health for
SURVEY continued...
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The e-Bell Newsletter is published by the Mental Health America, which
works with its 320 affiliates nationwide to promote health, prevent mental
disorders and achieve victory over illnesses through advocacy, education, research
and service. To receive the e-Bell, visit Mental
Health America’s
Web site www.mentalhealthamerica.net or
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