Presidential Candidates Answer Mental Healthcare Questionnaire

Posted on January 1, 2008

Arlington, VA—The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has released the responses of five presidential candidates to a detailed questionnaire about mental healthcare issues. 

"Mental health is part of the national dialogue on healthcare," said NAMI executive director Michael J. Fitzpatrick. "We offer the candidate responses as part of the process of public education."

"One out of four Americans are affected by mental illness at some point during their lifetimes. It does not discriminate between Democrats and Republicans."

• Specific answers to 24 questions have been provided to date by Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and Barack Obama.
• John McCain provided a statement on mental healthcare policy in lieu of specific answers, with his campaign noting that it is not his policy to answer reply to specific questionnaires
• Mitt Romney’s campaign responded that he does not answer questionnaires.

In all cases, candidates have been invited to answer the questionnaire or provide other information about their positions on mental healthcare issues. Responses from other candidates will be posted as they are received.

NAMI is a non-partisan organization with 1100 state and local affiliates, dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. It does not endorse political candidates.