Honorable Patrick Kennedy To Hold Parity Hearing

SEABROOK, N.J., June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seabrook House is proud to support the Honorable Patrick Kennedy for an Addiction and Mental Health Parity Hearing at Stockton College in the Campus Center Theater on Tuesday, June 11^th, at 6:00p.m.

The hearing is to address the importance of implementing the mental health and addiction parity act which was passed in 2008. Speakers will include people in recovery from mental health and addiction, family members, providers, mental health and addiction parity experts, New Jersey elected officials. Carol McDaid of the Parity Implementation Coalition will also speak.  The hearing will conclude with a Question and Answer panel.

"On June 11, we will hear from witnesses who have been denied treatment for mental illness or addiction, despite the federal parity law passed in 2008," said Honorable Patrick Kennedy. "Demanding the care we need, and are entitled to, is our responsibility. By documenting these stories, and standing together as one voice, we will make access to mental health and addiction care in New Jersey a reality."

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 is a federal law that protects a group health plan's mental health and/or substance use coverage benefits.  The measure was to ensure that mental health and physical health be treated the same, and although the legislation passed, its implementation has not yet occurred. 

The event is sponsored by NCADD NJ, Stockton College, The Wellness Center and organized in partnership with Mental Health Association in New Jersey Inc., NJAMHAA, and Parity Implementation Coalition.

We ask that people attend this important event.  If you cannot attend the organizers urge you to submit your story about your experience with the lack of mental health and addiction equality.  Please email stories to [email protected]  or [email protected]

Seabrook House is an internationally recognized, private CARF-accredited addiction treatment center with several locations. The main facility is located in Bridgeton, NJ, convenient to Pennsylvania, New York and surrounding states. Our 90-day transitional living facility for men, Seabrook House West, is located in north central Pennsylvania in the town of Westfield. Our 90-day transitional living facility for women, Changes for Women, is located on our main campus. A regional office is located in New York City, along with outpatient offices in Cherry Hill and Northfield, NJ. Seabrook House has been helping families find the courage to recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and substance abuse since 1974. To contact Seabrook House, please visit the organization's web site at www.SeabrookHouse.org, or call the 24-hour help line at 1-800-761-7575.

SOURCE Seabrook House