Andrew Malekoff
Executive Director – North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center

Did you know that every day more than 290 Americans die from suicide or a drug overdose? With proper treatment, many of these tragedies could be prevented — but despite a law that guarantees coverage, people face enormous roadblocks when they seek care.

In 2008, a federal law called the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (or the Parity Act) was passed to stop insurance companies from routinely denying benefits to people with mental health and addiction challenges. Getting necessary treatment is often a matter of life and death.

We have joined a national campaign called “Parity@10” to fight for the rights of people living with mental health and substance use disorders. These are your children, your neighbors, your family, your friends. No one is immune from facing these issues.

Discriminatory insurance coverage must end. When insurers do not comply with the law and government enforcement is inadequate, millions of Americans are at risk.

In 2019, we will continue to advance this cause to end discrimination and guarantee that all people receive the timely and affordable care they deserve and that is mandated by law.