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Kopetski, Mike [103rd Congress]
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Kopetski, Mike [103rd Congress]
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Kopetski, Mike
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 16, 1993
The Honorable Michael J. Kopetski
United States House of Representatives
218 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3705
Dear Congressman Kopetski:
Thank you for sharing your concerns about my comments
regarding the expansion of mental health benefits during my
testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee. I sincerely
regret the delay in my response, but I appreciate having this
opportunity to clarify my statement.
The reference I made to phasing in the mental illness and
substance abuse benefit as savings are realized was not meant to
imply that expansion of the benefit is contingent on savings
being achieved. The Health Security Act eliminates the day and
visit limits as well as all special cost sharing provisions
related to the mental illness and substance abuse benefit on
January 1, 2001. This is a statutory change and is not
contingent on anything else occurring. These limits may be
eliminated earlier, if the addition of benefits does not cause
any regional alliance to exceed its per capita premium target.
I am proud that the President's proposal ends discrimination
in health care coverage against Americans with mental and
substance abuse disorders. You have long been an advocate for
improving the quality of care for those afflicted with mental
illness, as well as for improving the access to treatment. I
look forward to working with you to ensure that our common goals
are achieved.
Sincerely yours,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Happy Holidays!
ce: Melanne
MICHAEL J. KOPETSKI
Chiis
HOME OFFICE:
THE EQUITABLE CENTER Buil
5TH DISTRICT, OREGON
530 CENTER STREET, NE
SUITE 340
218 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
SALEM, OR 97301
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-3705
Congress of the United States
503-588-9100
202-225-5711
FAX: 503-588-0963
FAX: 202-225-9477
house of Representatives
COMMITTEE
CLACKAMAS COUNTY OFFICE:
WAYS & MEANS
Mashington, DC 20515-3705
615 HIGH STREET
OREGON CITY, OR 97045
September 30, 1993
503-650-1273
OREGON TOLL FREE: 1-800-548-7179
Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton
Chair
The President's Task Force on Health Care Reform
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Ms. Clinton:
I greatly appreciate your appearing before the House Ways and Means Committee on
September 28th to testify on the administration's health care reform proposal. I share your
commitment to real reform of our health care system, and I look forward to working with
you in the future on this.
As you may know, I am very concerned about improving our nation's mental health
care system as we work on health care reform. In your response to a question I asked
regarding specific mental health treatment limits contained in the benefit package, you
indicated that while such limits would be imposed in the initial benefit package, these limits
would be removed, giving way to a comprehensive benefit package, as we realize savings
from health care reform. Attached please find an unofficial transcript of my question and
your response. As it was my understanding that the progression to a comprehensive benefit
package would not be conditional upon anticipated savings or any other aspect of the reform
package, I would appreciate a written response from your office clarifying this matter at your
earliest convenience.
Thank you again for your efforts on this most important issue, and for your assistance
in this matter.
Sincerely,
Un
Mike Kopetski
Member of Congress
MJK:sb
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Rep. Kopetski: Thank you Mr. Chairman, and welcome. I understand and appreciate
the fact that in the President's plan the mental health component of the benefit package
will reach parity with the physical injury care by the year 2001. In spite of this we need
to provide a wide range of services to the mentally ill, and in most cases the least
restrictive treatment setting is the cheapest and the most effective.
Given the need for forms from inpatient settings to outpatient settings, why are
there 60 days of inpatient hospitalization coverage available in the mental health package
but only 30 days for outpatient psychotherapy?
Mrs. Clinton: The reason for that, Congressman, is that we are trying to start with
emphasizing the care of the most severely mentally ill, those who do require the kind of
inpatient intervention that often is linked to the most severe kinds of mental illness. We
thought that would be our first responsibility to provide that kind of system, and we
intend to build on the 30 days of outpatient treatment as we go forward. We also believe
that with a prescription drug benefit the costs of medication will be more readily
available for all different degrees of mental illness and that the 30 days of outpatient
treatment combined with more affordable and accessible medication is an adequate
benefit.
It is not where we think we should end up as a country, that is why we have
additional benefits that we would recommend be phased in as we realize savings, but we
think it is a very good and strong beginning for mental health coverage.
THE WHITE HOUSE
June 24, 1993
Honorable Michael J. Kopetski
United States House of Representatives
Washington D.C. 20515-3705
Dear Representative Kopetski:
Thank you for writing to support inclusion of mental health
benefits in the standard benefits package of the President's national
health care reform plan.
The President and his health care advisors are considering the
contents of a universal benefits package, including mental health
services. Tipper Gore chaired the working group on mental health for
the President's Task Force on National Health Care Reform and has
been a strong advocate for equitable treatment of mental health
benefits. I have shared your concurrent resolution and the impressive
list of cosponsors with Mrs. Gore and the President's advisors.
Again, thank you for all your efforts on behalf of health care
reform. I look forward to our continued work together to ensure that
every American family enjoys the security of quality, affordable health
care.
Sincerely,
Hillary Hillary Rodham Clinton