Virginia, however, is completing action on a similar bill and could edge out New Jersey in the order of enactment. New Jersey already is a leader in medical and pharmaceutical research. Citizens of New Jersey need access to treatment for mental illnesses just as they do for cancer, diabetes or heart disease. The New Jersey Senate and Assembly both approved S. 86 by overwhelming margins. The bill represents a historic opportunity both to help the people of New Jersey and to help lead the nation.
Mental illnesses are biological brain disorders.
In any given year, more than five million Americans suffer from them. Citizens of New Jersey need access to treatment for mental illnesses just as they do for cancer, diabetes or heart disease. Mental health parity also is affordable. In 1998, the National Advisory Mental Health Council reported that under managed care, full parity increases healthcare costs less than one percent a year. Plans that implement parity in conjunction with managed care actually are able to reduce costs by as much as 30 to 50 percent.