Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearings on June 15th!

Dear Recovery Advocate,

We need your help today to continue building momentum for meaningful Congressional action to end insurance discrimination this year!

We've just learned that the House Energy and Commerce committee will hold hearings this Friday, June 15th on the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007, H.R. 1424!

Thanks to your advocacy, there is growing support in Washington, DC to require equity in insurance coverage for addiction treatment and recovery. The House Education and Labor committee has scheduled a hearing for July 10th, paving the way for action in this session of Congress. Faces & Voices will send you another Alert about that hearing.

In other developments, the Senate continues to deliberate on its version of the bill, which still needs to be strengthened to protect existing state laws that provide even better coverage for people with mental illnesses and addiction.

Here is a one-page fact sheet about the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. Find out if your U.S. Representative is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1424

2. Call your Representative's office by calling the House switchboard at: 202-222-3121. Find out who your Representative is by entering your zip code in the upper left hand corner.

3. Ask to speak with the staff person who handles health issues.

4. Ask them to work to enact H.R. 1424, The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 this year. If he or she is a co-sponsor, thank them for their support.

5. Let them know about the hearing on June 15th before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. If your Representative is a member of that committee (see the list here) your call is particularly important!

Act now! Reach your Representative's office by calling the House switchboard at 202-224-3121

Email us to let us know about your call!

Thanks so much for your tireless advocacy!

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