Mental Illnesses a "Civil Rights Issue!"

The EDC attended a luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington DC today with mental health parity champions former Congressmen Patrick Kennedy and Jim Ramstad.  Even after leaving Congress both Ramstad and Kennedy remain passionate about ensuring the implementation of a strong Final Rule for the 2008 Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) in a way that eliminates discrimination against those with mental illnesses.

EDC Policy Director & Former Congressman Jim Ramstad

The EDC was able to ask a question of the Congressmen regarding insurance tactics used to discriminate against those suffering with eating disorders. Here is a link to the video of the question and responses:
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/InsuranceCov
(the entire video is interesting and worth watching, but the question re: Eating Disorders is addressed beginning at: 47.58)

The two are launching Parity Field Hearings in many cities throughout the country to draw attention to the continued exclusions and inappropriate insurance denials. The EDC spoke with Kennedy directly and we will be bringing people with eating disorders who have been denied treatment to testify at these hearings.