NAMI News

As this country's attention turns to yet another tragic incident involving someone with severe mental illness, millions of Americans who struggle with these disorders and their families agonize over the sensationalized news headlines and the true meaning of this event.

U.S. Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN) today introduced legislation that will end harmful and discriminatory health insurance coverage for adults and children with the most severe mental illnesses.

In testimony before a Senate appropriations subcommittee today, Wanda Mohr, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N, assistant professor of the nursing of children at the University of Pennsylvania, described the use of restraints in psychiatric hospitals as "situations that go out of control," that easily turn into "tragedies."

On April 13, 1999 Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) will convene a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education & Related Agencies, at 9:30 a.m. in 186 Dirksen Senate Office Building, addressing the deadly use of restraints in facilities serving the disabled.

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) today urged New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman to sign into law legislation to end discrimination in health insurance coverage for persons with severe mental illnesses.

NAMI is pleased with the leadership that members of Congress are providing today with the introduction of three bills to address the need for national standards to prevent abuse of restraints and seclusion in psychiatric facilities.

NAMI today applauded the introduction of three bills by Senators Joseph Lieberman and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, and Representatives Diana DeGette of Colorado, Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Pete Stark of California, to establish national standards to prevent abuse of restraints and seclusion in psychiatric facilities. 

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has called on Virginia Governor James Gilmore to sign legislation passed overwhelmingly by the Virginia General Assembly to end discrimination in health insurance coverage for people with mental illnesses.

Americans with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and anxiety disorders are profoundly grateful to the bipartisan coalition of House members who today are introducing the Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.

NAMI... holds vigil with high hopes that New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson will not again veto the bipartisan showing of support from New Mexico's legislators who voted overwhelmingly in the House and Senate for HB 489, equal coverage for mental illnesses as that offered for other physical illnesses.