Heard in the Halls is an email service of NAMI North Carolina to provide updates on state legislative and policy issues. Heard in the Halls is produced for community advocates at least monthly and more frequently during sessions of the General Assembly. To be added to the Heard in the Halls list send a message to heard@naminc.org with just "subscribe" (no quotes) in the subject header. Because of the variety of e-mail servers, Heard in the Halls is sent in plain text and as a formatted attachment. Previous issues of Heard in the Halls can be viewed a www.naminc.org

4-8-03

H 654, Representative Martha Alexander’s mental health and substance abuse parity legislation, is scheduled to be heard in the House Insurance Committee next week. Under the bill, health plans would be required to provide coverage for mental illness and substance abuse and that coverage must be on par with physical health coverage. The parity bill is expected to come up before the House Insurance Committee Tuesday April 15^th. It is critical that the Committee approve the bill next week in order to meet bill deadlines.

ACTION: Contact members of the Insurance Committee NOW and urge them to pass this legislation. Let them know that:

• Mental illness treatment works!
• Parity coverage IS affordable
• It is time to end discrimination against persons with mental illness!

(For more information about insurance parity go to: http://www.naminc.org/PPAgenda/PPA_insuranceparity.htm )

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