Eating Disorders Awareness, Education and Prevention Act
The Eating Disorders Awareness, Education and Prevention Act was introduced during Eating Disorders Awareness Week on February 25, 2003, in the U.S. House by Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Rep. Ted Strickland (D-OH). The next day, Rep. Biggert spoke at the EDC's Congressional Briefing during Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Currently this bill has only 40 cosponsors.

SUMMARY: Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act of 2003 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the use of innovative assistance funds for programs to: (1) improve identification of students with eating disorders; (2) increase awareness of such disorders among parents and students; and (3) train educators with respect to effective eating disorder prevention and assistance methods.

Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program to broadcast public service announcements to improve public awareness, and to promote the identification and prevention, of eating disorders.

Requires the National Center for Education Statistics and the National Center for Health Statistics to: (1) study the impact eating disorders have on educational advancement and achievement; (2) report on current State and local programs to educate youth on the dangers of eating disorders; and (3) recommend Federal, State, and local measures that could be undertaken.

(S. 486), (H.R. 953): The Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act

Background: In 1996, Congress passed the Mental Health Parity Act (P.L. 104-204), which eliminated annual and lifetime dollar limits for mental healthcare for companies with more than 50 employees. Many employers have been able to skirt the spirit of the law, however, by placing new restrictions on mental health benefits, such as additional limits on outpatient office visits and number of days for inpatient care.

The Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act (S. 486), and (H.R. 953) was introduced during Eating Disorders Awareness Week on February 27, 2003. In the U.S. Senate it was introduced by Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and in the U.S. House by Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Rep. Jim Ramstad.

SUMMARY (identical language in both bills): Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit certain employee group health plans or related insurances providing both medical-surgical and mental health benefits from imposing mental health treatment limitations or financial requirements unless comparable limitations and requirements are imposed upon medical-surgical benefits. States that the foregoing shall not be construed as requiring a group health plan (or related insurances) to: (1) provide any mental health benefits; (2) prevent the medical management of mental health benefits; or (3) require the provision of specific mental health services, except to the extent that failure to provide such services would result in a disparity between the coverage of mental health and medical-surgical benefits.

Exempts specified small employers from such requirements.

Requires that, in the case of a group health plan that offers a participant or beneficiary two or more benefit package options, the coverage requirements shall be applied separately with respect to each such option.

Provides that, in the case of a plan or insurance providing in-network mental health benefits, out-of-network mental health benefits need not be provided at parity to medical-surgical benefits, as long as in-network mental health benefits are provided at parity with medical-surgical benefits and the plan or insurance provides reasonable access to in-network providers and facilities.

Requires a General Accounting Office study of such requirements' effects upon health insurance costs, access, and quality and a cost estimation of extending such requirements to the treatment of substance abuse and chemical dependency.

Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action

The Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action is a cooperative of professional and advocacy-based organizations committed to federal advocacy on behalf of people with eating disorders, their families, and professionals working with these populations.

Federal policy goals:

1. Increase resources for research, education, prevention, and improved training.

2. Promote federal support for improved access to care.

3. Promote the national awareness of eating disorders as a public health problem.

4. Promote initiatives that support the healthy development of children.

Making a Difference: Writing your President, Senators, & Congressmen

Contact information for your Senators, Representative and President Bush is available at www.congress.org . In the 'Write Elected Officials' section, simply enter your 5-digit zip code and hit 'Go'. Once you find the information you need, make your voice heard! Let them know that you support The Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act (S. 486), (H.R. 953) and The Eating Disorders Awareness, Education, and Prevention Act of 2003 (H.R. 873). Encourage others around you to get involved!

Here is a sample letter (taken from www.anad.org):
 

Dear Senator / Representative [Name of your Senator or Representative]:

I live and vote in your state. I am urging you to co-sponsor and support the The Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act (S. 486), and (H.R. 953). It is vital to pass this bill to ban insurance discrimination against U.S. citizens with mental illnesses, specifically eating disorders. This bill is necessary to help the up to 24 million Americans with eating disorders, receive the treatment that is necessary for recovery. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and hundreds of thousands of victims suffer throughout their lives because of denial of adequate insurance coverage.

Thank you for all your hard work and support.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]: