WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) joined on Tuesday a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the “Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 200 8,” legislation that would provide for equity in the coverage of mental health and substance use disorders compared to medical and surgical disorders.

The bill would affect the 1 87 million Americans who curren tly have insurance coverage under non-self-insured plans. The bill would help prevent the lack of treatment by bringing down the two primary reasons Americans did not seek mental health services.

According to a 2004 survey by the American Psychological As sociation, Americans say that lack of insurance and cost are the leading factors for not seeking mental health services. The bill will no w go to the Senate for its approval and then to the President for his signature.

“ This is a landmark day. Today , the millions of Americans who suffer from mental illness finally are about to receive full access to the treatment they need and deserve with out higher co-pays or treatment limits,” Holt said. “Millions of Americans suffer from mental illness of some form, conditions that disrupt a person ’ s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Mental illnesses strain families and can contribute to lost productivity, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, or suicide. Few Americans are untouched by it. No one is immune.”

According to the World Hea lth Organization (WHO) , mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States for individuals ages 15-44. One in every five Americans will experience a mental illness. Yet of the million s of Americans who suffer from a mental health diso rder, only one-third receive treatment.

The WHO estimates that costs related to untreated mental illness are $147 billion each year in the United States. An analysis of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act indicates it would result in an increase of less than one percent in premiums and would reduce out-of-pocket costs by 18 percent. Further, a recent article in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) indicates that employers who actively encourage their employees to use men tal health services actually experienced an increase in hours worked and productivity gains.

Last November, H olt h eld a roundtable on mental health and this legislation with local and national mental health advocates at Carrier Clinic in Belle Meade, New Jersey. Participants addressed the economic and so cial costs associated with mental health and ways to better meet the needs of the population.

“I am pleased that this bill protects states, like New Jersey, who go above and beyond the coverage requirements that this legislation establishes. New Jersey is a leader in mental health parity . Today we should honor the hard work of mental health profes sionals, social workers, a ffected families, and others who tirelessly fought to make Sen. Wellstone’s dream a reality for all,” Holt said.

A summary of the legislation can be found here .