U.S.: Urgent Appeal by the Research Society on Alcoholism

Subject: RSA – Mental Health Parity Act – ACT NOW

Dear RSA Members:

You should have received the message below pertaining to the Mental Health Parity Act on Friday afternoon.

We are writing again to reinforce the importance of you contacting your senators and congressmen.

THE TRAIN HAS LEFT THE STATION. A VOTE MAY BE TAKEN THIS AFTERNOON – PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES NOW. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

Thank you, Peter

Peter M. Monti, Ph.D. RSA President

“““““““““““““““““““““““““““` RSA E-NEWS:

CALL YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMAN NOW VOTES ON MENTAL HEALTH PARITY NEXT WEEK

September 19, 2008

The Senate and House have reached agreement on mental health parity legislation and the Leadership in both bodies is scheduling votes on the proposal next week. As matters stand now, the Senate intends to include mental health parity in a package of tax extenders which is likely to be taken up next Tuesday. The House is planning a separate vote on mental health parity which may occur as early as Monday afternoon. The legislation is now named “The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act”.

The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that all Americans have access to mental health and addiction treatment. The bill prohibits health insurers from placing discriminatory restrictions on such treatment and bars health plans from charging higher co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket limits and imposing lower day and visit limits on mental health and addiction care.

It is critical that you express your support for the mental health parity bill to your elected officials. Please call or e-mail your Senators and Congressman today. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Senators’ offices and the office of your Congressman. When you reach the office, remember that telephone calls are usually taken by a staff member, not the Member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the mental health issue and identify yourself and your profession. Tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message for your Member of Congress: “Please tell Senator or Congressman (Name) that I support the mental health parity legislation and urge him or her to vote in favor of the final legislation when it comes up for a vote.”

If you would like to e-mail your Member of Congress, please go to http://www.senate.gov or http://www.house.gov. and the site will direct you to your Congressman or Senator’s contact information.

THIS LEGISLATION HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING-ACT NOW TO ENSURE THAT IT BECOMES LAW!