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APA Awards Congressional Ally

Jim Paretti (left) accepts a Special Commendation Award on behelf of Rep. Marge Roukema (R-N.J.) from APA President Paul Appelbaum, M.D. Paretti is Roukema’s communications director.

Roukema’s communications director Jim Paretti accepted the award on her behalf at the annual congressional symposium cosponsored by APA and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill on Capitol Hill in conjunction with Mental Illness Awareness Week.

Roukema was unable to attend the event due to her treatment for cancer.

APA President Paul Appelbaum, M.D., praised Roukema for her 20 years of legislative service and in particular for leading the fight for mental health parity.

This year she is a cosponsor of the Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act (HR 4066) with Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), which has not moved out of committee. She also has been a leader in advocating for health insurance reform.

Roukema was an original cosponsor of the 2001 Patients’ Bill of Rights, "which put medical decisions back in the hands of doctors," and the Family and Medical Leave Act, which gives job security to hard-working American families, Appelbaum said.

Paretti read from a statement by Roukema: "I am deeply honored to receive this special commendation from the American Psychiatric Association. This award carries special meaning for me. As I reflect on my career in Congress, one of my proudest endeavors has been our fight to ensure that all those who suffer from mental illness receive appropriate care. We have been working a long time to end blatant discrimination against those with mental illness."

She recounted several victories on behalf of those suffering from mental illness, including the passage of the 1996 mental health parity law and the elimination of spending caps for mental health services under Medicare.

But, "the reality is there is much more to do. Earlier today, 33 Republican cosponsors of HR 4066 sent a letter calling on the president to ensure that mental health parity legislation is passed this year. We cannot allow this discrimination to continue."

She commended APA for its efforts on behalf of patients with mental illness and pledged her continuing support "as we strive to pass parity legislation and look to the future."

Related Article:

Capitol Hill Symposium Sends Strong Parity Message

Christine Lehmann
Psychiatr News 2002 37: 1-40. [Full Text]

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