Udall Applauds Mental Health Parity Bill, Praises and Thanks Senator Domenici

Press Release

U.S. Representative Tom Udall, D-N.M., today voted for Mental Health Parity legislation and released the following statement regarding the bill's passage:

"There is no health affliction more universal among humankind than that of mental illness. Mental health illness can be even more painful than physical health ailments. Every day it impacts millions of individuals and families, including my own. Until now, the faces of individuals suffering from these debilitating afflictions have been veiled, and we have allowed them to receive unequal treatment under insurance and group health plans. This discrimination is unjust and unjustifiable, and I am proud that we have passed Senator Domenici's legislation to do what's right for the millions of American families affected by mental illness.

"At this remarkable moment, I want to thank Senator Pete Domenici for his principled and consistent advocacy on behalf of the mentally ill and for his willingness to work in a truly bipartisan way to get this done. Without Senator Domenici, this achievement would not have been possible. Children growing up a decade from now will not know the pain of having a claim denied because it arose from a mental illness. And those seeking treatment in the face of darkness will never be forced to also confront the additional burden of paying extra fees. They will not be forced to accept substandard health care coverage or no coverage at all because of a deep seated affliction innate in who they are. They will owe that freedom in large part to Pete Domenici."

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