Kennedy, Ramstad hit the road to tout mental health measure

Substance abuse and mental health parity bills have been introduced several times in the last decade. Supporters reportedly have all the votes they need to pass it and President Bush has indicated that he would sign it, but Republican house leadership consistently blocked it from going to the floor for a vote. Hopefully this will be an opportunity to enact it.

Reps. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) will embark on a six-city tour today to tout legislation that would require insurance companies to treat mental illness and addiction just as they would any physical illness. The tour will kick off in Providence, R.I., then head to Ramstad’s district in Minnetonka, Minn., and continue on to Rockville, Md., Los Angeles and Vancouver, Wash.