American Public Health Association
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Media Relations, (202) 777-2509
 media.relations@apha.org

APHA Applauds Congress for Passing Long-Overdue Mental Health Legislation

Statement from Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E)

Executive Director, American Public Health Association

Washington, D.C., October 3, 2008 – “The American Public Health Association (APHA) praises Congress for passing historic legislation that will require health insurers to provide the same level of coverage for mental illness and substance abuse as they do for physical illness. Today our nation took a step toward eliminating disparity and moved closer to equality in care.

 

“This critical legislation is years in the making and will benefit the millions suffering from mental illness and addiction by removing the obstacles to accessing care that have been put in place by most insurers. It will also go a long way in reducing the stigma and discrimination these individuals experience.

 

“With one in four adults in the United States suffering from a mental health disorder in a given year, we applaud Congress for recognizing the vital importance of this legislation and ensuring its passage before adjourning for the year.”

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Founded in 1872, the APHA is the oldest, largest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. The association aims to protect all Americans and their communities from preventable, serious health threats and strives to assure community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States. APHA represents a broad array of health providers, educators, environmentalists, policy-makers and health officials at all levels working both within and outside governmental organizations and educational institutions. More information is available at www.apha.org.