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Announcements
Supporters Celebrate House Action on ADA Amendments Act |
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Posted by: BipolarChick on 06/27/2008 11:29 PM
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By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 402-17, the House of Representatives on June 25 passed legislation to expand existing protections under the landmark 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The bill (HR 3195) is designed to reverse a number of Supreme Court decisions that over the years that have narrowed the scope of ADA protections in the workplace – including so-called “mitigating measures” such as medication and other therapies that control the symptoms of a disability. Among the provisions in HR 3195 are: |
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Victory on Medicare! |
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Posted by: BipolarChick on 07/16/2008 11:04 PM
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Victory on Medicare!
July 16, 2008
Late yesterday, the House and Senate successfully overrode the President's veto of legislation (HR 6331) making critical reforms and improvements to the Medicare program for beneficiaries living with mental illness. The vote in the House was 383-41 and the vote in the Senate was 70-26.
NAMI is extremely grateful for the efforts of advocates all across the country that e-mailed, wrote and called their Senators and House members. Your advocacy made a tremendous difference! Please take the final step of thanking members of Congress that supported the legislation and voted to override the President's veto. |
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President Vetoes Medicare Legislation |
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Posted by: BipolarChick on 07/15/2008 07:09 PM
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President Vetoes Medicare Legislation - Congress To Vote on Overriding Veto
July 15, 2008
President Bush today vetoed a major package of Medicare reforms. The House and Senate are expected to vote on overriding the veto later this week. This Medicare package (HR 6331) contains critical protections and improvements for beneficiaries living with mental illness and represents an historic opportunity to address long overdue reforms.
Act Now!
Contact Congress today and urge them to support overriding the President's veto of HR 6331. All Senate and House offices can be reached by calling 202-224-3121.
Remind your Senators and House members of the critical beneficiary protections and improvements in HR 6331, including:
Parity for cost sharing for outpatient mental health services under Part B, gradually moving the current discriminatory 50% requirement down to 20% between 2010 and 2014,
Statutory authority under the Part D drug benefit for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure broad coverage on prescription drug plan formularies for antipsychotics, antidepressants and anticonvulsants,
Removal of the current ban on Part D plans offering coverage for benzodiazepines (a critical tool in treatment for acute mania in bipolar disorder and severe anxiety disorders),
Changes to eligibility for the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program (also known as "Extra Help") - These reforms include an increase the amount of allowable resources, elimination of barriers to enrollment and the current late enrollment penalty and new exemptions for the value of a life insurance policy and in-kind support and maintenance. Eligibility for the LIS significantly lowers and premiums and cost sharing for drug coverage and exempts beneficiaries from the "doughnut hole" coverage gap.
White House Objects to Broad Formulary Guidance
As part of its justification for vetoing the Medicare package, the Administration has singled out a provision codifying existing policy that requires Part D prescription drug plans to include "all or substantially all" of the medications in six protected therapeutic classes, including anti-psychotics, antidepressants and anti-convulsants. Advocates are urged to mention the importance of this provision when contacting their Senators and House member. |
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Senate Passes Medicare Legislation! |
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Posted by: BipolarChick on 07/10/2008 04:31 PM
(Read: 586)
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Senate Passes Medicare Legislation!
Margin Sufficient to Override Expected Presidential Veto
July 10, 2008
By a vote of 69-30, the Senate on July 9 passed a critical package of Medicare beneficiary improvements. In addition to preventing a cut in fees to physicians, the legislation (HR 6331) also makes improvement to the Part D drug benefit and establishes parity for cost sharing for outpatient mental health services. Yesterday's vote was on motion to cut off debate; the Senate later cleared the package by voice vote. The margin was sufficient to override an expected presidential veto - the House passed the legislation on June 24 by a 355-59 margin, more than enough to override a veto.
A Major Victory for Medicare Beneficiaries Living With Mental Illness |
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Mental Illness |
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Posted by: BipolarChick on 06/19/2008 12:37 AM
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The mentally ill are not nameless and faceless people, but mothers, fathers, sons, brothers and sisters and daughters whose families are also affected by the disability.
Mental disorders can appear without warning.
It can happen no matter how good a person you are or how well you follow the standard common sense rules of living. |
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Posted for comedic value only.
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