Senate passes mental health parity bill

The Senate passed legislationTuesday night that would require equal health insurance coverage formental and physical illnesses when policies cover both.  The bill, which passed by unanimous consent, moves advocatesone step closer in their years-long quest for a concept known as mentalhealth parity. Passage came on the same day that supporters inundated HouseSpeaker Nancy Pelosi’s office, urging a vote on mental health paritylegislation in the House.  The call-in was organized by Wellstone Action, a groupfounded to carry out the work of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn.,who had championed the legislation for years. The House version iscalled the “Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act.”

Source and more:  San Francisco Chroncle