Congress Begins August Recess - Action Needed on Health Reform Legislation

Congress Begins August Recess – Action Needed on Health Reform Legislation Both the House and Senate have begun their month-long summer recess and members of Congress will be in their states and districts until September 8.   Pressure is mounting on Senators and House members on the critical issue of health care reform and the voice of consumers and families needs to be heard. Action Required Individuals living with mental illness and their families are strongly encouraged to reach out to members of Congress as they make appearances in their states and congressional districts over the next four weeks.  Advocates should reach out to members of Congress through: Requesting meetings with them in their state and district offices, Attending congressional town meetings and "listening sessions," Calling into appearances on local radio programs, Talking to them at community parades, picnics and other public appearances (ribbon cuttings, Rotary Clubs, etc.), and Writing letters to the editor of local papers. What is NAMI's Message? NAMI's basic message to Congress is: Move this year on health reform legislation that provides quality and affordable health care for all while reducing the rate of growth in health care costs in the future; Ensure that mental illness treatment is included as part of any required basic benefit package AND is covered at parity relative to medical surgical benefits consistent with Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008; and Address medical co-morbidities experienced by individuals with serious mental illness through expanded access to primary care and early intervention services. NAMI also urges that any health care reform package should include: Adequate financing in order to guarantee that health reform lives up to its promise of delivering comprehensive, affordable coverage; Income-based standards for premiums, co-payments, deductibles and all out-of-pocket health care costs; Premium subsidies on a sliding scale up to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level along with limits on cost sharing so health coverage is affordable for all American families; An expansion of Medicaid that strengthens and maintains Medicaid's role as the base of coverage for current mandatory beneficiaries; Improvements to portability, enrollment, and renewal to maximize coverage, minimize red tape, and provide stability for all Americans; Regulations that prevent insurance companies from discriminating based on health status, gender, and occupation; Guarantees that quality, affordable health care coverage is available across the country and that individuals and families have options in selecting health plans; Financial support and incentives for primary community-based care - especially for children and adults living with serious mental illness; Adequate cost savings to improve long-range fiscal stability; A strong employer responsibility requirement with penalties for those employers who do not offer coverage based on total payroll rather than penalties tied only to employees who receive income subsidies; Sufficient assistance for states so that federal health reform does not impose an unnecessary burden on already strained state budgets, and that does not punish states that have chosen to expand Medicaid and SCHIP coverage above federal requirements. Learn More Learn more about health reform and read NAMI's principles and goals for health reform legislation. NAMI E-News Alerts are electronic newsletters provided free of charge as a public service. With more than 1,100 state and local affiliates, NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses. Contributions to support our work can be made online. If you do not wish to receive further E-News Alerts, please click here, sign in and uncheck the box next to E-News. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please send an email to enews@nami.org.