Washington, D.C. July 24, 2003 - The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) recognized Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI), a leading advocate for mental health care reform in the House, by presenting him with its first annual DBSA Paul Wellstone Mental Health Award on July 23, 2003. In the House, Kennedy has spearheaded the bipartisan "Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2003." Mental health parity expands already existing coverage of mental illness to equal the level covered for traditional physical illnesses. The legislation is named in honor of the late Senator Paul D. Wellstone, a leader in mental health care reform.

Lydia Lewis, president of DBSA, met with Kennedy to discuss public policy and advocacy issues key to DBSA and present him with the award for his tireless efforts to support mental health parity.

"This award was established to acknowledge the true champions of mental health, and Representative Kennedy is one of mental health's greatest advocates," said Lewis. "It is critical that we expand the coverage of mental health care to dramatically improve the quality-of-life of people with mental illness."

Insurance companies currently discriminate between physical illness and mental illness by requiring patients seeking mental health care to pay far greater out-of-pocket expenses than those paid for other physical conditions. Health plans also frequently cover fewer days in a hospital, pay for a limited number of out-patient visits for mental health care and have significantly lower lifetime coverage limits.

With mental health parity, group health plans must treat mental illness as any other illness. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that providing mental health parity as outlined in the legislation would increase health care costs by less than 1%. This estimate is in line with the experience of the federal government's employee health plan and the states that have passed parity laws.

The mental health parity bill currently has 242 sponsors in the House and 66 sponsors in the Senate, majorities in both chambers. Kennedy serves as lead sponsor in the House along with Congressmen Jim Ramstad (R-MN). Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Pete Domenici (R-NM) sponsor the Senate version.

For more information on mental health parity, depression and bipolar disorder and/or to contact your legislator about this important issue, visit:
http://www.DBSAlliance.org/advocacy/Legislative_Action_Center.html

DBSA is the leading patient-directed organization focusing on the nation's most prevalent mental illnesses - depression and bipolar disorder.

DBSA's mission is to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders. This not-for-profit organization fosters an environment of understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically based tools and information, written in easy to understand language. DBSA has more than 1,000 peer-run support groups across the country. Assisted by a Scientific Advisory Board, comprised of the leading researchers and clinicians in the field of mood disorders, DBSA supports research to promote more timely diagnosis, to develop more effective and tolerable treatments and to discover a cure. The organization works to ensure that people living with mood disorders are treated equitably. Over two million people request and receive information and assistance from DBSA each year. More information can be found at www.DBSAlliance.org or by calling 1-800-826-3632.