Making Parity Real
Making Parity Real is a statewide series of symposia designed to help shape the future of addiction and mental health treatment in Wisconsin. Each symposium features a moderated dialogue among state policymakers and northcentral Wisconsin stakeholders to assess the major state policy challenges facing addiction and mental health services in Wisconsin.
Discussion explores the changes that can be made to state laws, budgets, rules and regulations, and standards to increase access to mental health/substance use disorder treatment, such as:
- The quantity, cultural competency and location of providers.
- The adequacy of public and private funding sources.
- The ability of non-medical providers to administer treatment.
- Strategies to reduce stigma.
- Other non-financial barriers to receiving treatment services.
Making Parity Real also features updates on the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343), and emerging Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations on addiction and mental health treatment.
Rep. Pasch will also discuss the Wisconsin Parity Act (2009 Wisconsin Act 218), which she co-sponsored and which Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law on April 29. The Wisconsin Parity Act will require most group health plans in Wisconsin to provide mental health and substance abuse disorder benefits at parity levels, increasing treatment for hundreds of thousands of people in Wisconsin, saving lives and lowering costs.
Making Parity Real symposia have been held in Milwaukee, Green Bay, Wausau, Janesville, La Crosse and Racine/Kenosha. Based on information learned during this and other symposia, state lawmakers and policymakers will be presented with recommendations to improve the treatment of mental health and addiction illnesses and disorders in Wisconsin.
Recent Making Parity Real media:
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Racine Journal Times (June 30): Mental health parity panelists: insurance is not enough
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La Crosse Tribune (May 2): Our view: The long road to real mental health parity (PDF)
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La Crosse Tribune (May 1): Mental health parity law only the beginning, advocates say (PDF)
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WKPT (April 30): Group discusses ways to make mental health and addiction treatment more accessible (PDF)
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WXOW (April 26): Panel meets to discuss health care changes (PDF)
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Beloit Daily News (March 25): Suicide rates on the rise (PDF)
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Janesville Gazette (March 22): Mental health treatment topic of symposium (PDF)
- WLBL-FM Wausau (March 5): Conference held to discuss equal insurance coverage for mental health patients
- Wausau Daily Herald (March 2): Mental health care forum to focus on parity (PDF)
How Addiction Fuels CrimeAccording to Wausau Chief of Police Jeff Hardel, 70 percent of criminal activity is alcohol and drug-related. How Addiction Fuels Crime, a March 2 story by Wausau's WAOW, discusses the impact of untreated mental illness and addiction on the criminal justice system as well as the failure of insurance companies to provide adequate mental health and addiction benefits. |
Making Parity RealOn March 5, Rep. Donna Seidel (D-Wausau) co-hosted a Making Parity Real symposium in Wausau to help shape the future of addiction and mental health treatment in Wisconsin. Said Rep. Seidel: “It’s no secret anywhere that drug and alcohol issues and addictions create enormous problems for our communities all around Wisconsin. It’s really important that we address them early.” Read the news story by Wausau's WAOW. |
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Making Parity Real is presented by: 
Learn more:
Milwaukee Addiction Treatment Initiative | Mental Health Policy Initiative
