Ramstad pushes for mental health parity

Rep. Jim Ramstad
Republican Rep. Jim Ramstad.
MPR file photo

Supporters of mental health parity in Congress are preparing to reconcile two different versions of legislation that would require insurers to cover mental health treatment the same way they cover physical ailments.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act last night.

The House bill is a more stringent version of parity legislation passed by the Senate last year.

A conference committee will now try to come up with a compromise version of the bill.

Congressman Jim Ramstad, DFL-3rd District, is one of the bill's co-authors.

He has made the legislation a top priority during his time in Congress.

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