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July 7, 2010
Wirch Receives “David Wagner Mental Health
Advocacy Award”
Senator Bob Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie) was pleased to accept the “David Wagner Mental Health Advocacy Award” presented to him recently by Bridges Community Center and NAMI Kenosha County.
The award was presented to Senator Wirch for his work as a co-sponsor of the Wisconsin Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act that was signed into law in April of this year. This legislation, authored by Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), will close the gap in coverage of mental health services that was left by the federal government when Congress passed the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
“I am deeply touched by this award and have always been a strong advocate for persons affected with mental illnesses,” said Wirch.
The Wisconsin Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act will ensure that Wisconsinites working in small businesses that have group health insurance are covered under Wisconsin law. “By giving people that are being treated for mental health issues the same coverage as people with physical ailments, we will end the discriminatory injustice within the health insurance market and will increase effective treatment to those in need,” said Wirch.
“I am proud of this award and will continue to advocate for people with mental illnesses. I am hopeful that one day the stigmas of mental health issues will be gone and that everyone affected with a mental health illness will be able to get the quality treatment that they deserve, quickly and affordably,” said Wirch.
“I am especially grateful to organizations such as the Bridges Community Center and NAMI Kenosha County for the work that they do. It is important that people have access to accurate information and are able to easily find network organizations such as these to ask questions, talk to other families and individuals and find services in their communities,” said Wirch.
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