Now, more than ever, mental health advocacy is critical to building the integrated system we need. The Kennedy Forum continues to engage virtually with policymakers, partner organizations, government agencies, and business leaders to spark lasting change. Read more about recent activity below. Policy Pulse On Tuesday, June 30, Patrick testified during the virtual legislative hearing, “High … Continued
By Patrick J. Kennedy The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), championed by my late father, Sen. Ted Kennedy, and Sen. Tom Harkin, was one of the great civil rights laws of our generation. July 26 marks its 30th anniversary. This landmark legislation served to fully integrate people with disabilities into everyday life and stop discrimination by … Continued
On Wednesday, July 15th, the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) announced fines against five major insurance companies for violating the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Federal Parity Law), which requires health plans to cover treatment for mental health and substance use disorders no more restrictively than treatment for illnesses of the body, … Continued
By Meiram Bendat COVID-19, mass unemployment and the increasingly visible mistreatment of Black Americans by police have opened a window on profound and longstanding inequities in the US as never before – and one result is a rising wave of mental and emotional distress. Nearly four in ten Californians are now showing signs of clinical anxiety or depression, … Continued
Former U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, founder of The Kennedy Forum, testified before the Congressional Subcommittee on Health of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Tuesday, June 30 in the virtual legislative hearing, “High Anxiety and Stress: Legislation to Improve Mental Health During Crisis.” The subcommittee is currently considering more than 20 bills addressing everything from Medicare … Continued
In June, former Congressman and founder of The Kennedy Forum Patrick J. Kennedy called for the end of racist systems that perpetuate physical and psychological violence and the promotion of resources and actions we can all take to heal and address the trauma caused by racism. Read more about The Kennedy Forum’s other recent activity … Continued
By David Lloyd, national policy advisor for The Kennedy Forum In their recent decision (Bostock v. Clayton County), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s employment discrimination protections extend to sexual orientation and gender identity. By extending the common-sense reading of the law’s text, the justices determined that discrimination … Continued
We’ve been working hard to help ensure more Americans are able to access mental health and addiction care—during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a list of recent activity. Policy Pulse As part of the Mental Health Liaison Group, The Kennedy Forum drafted a letter to Congressional leaders on May 6 calling for $38.5 billion in emergency … Continued
By Patrick J. Kennedy The U.S. is facing its worst public health crisis in nearly a century. If we fail to think big in a coordinated, strategic response to COVID-19, our communities will be overwhelmed with disastrous long-term consequences. A gathering tsunami of mental health and substance use disorders stemming from social isolation, unemployment, grief, … Continued
Even before COVID-19 hit, our nation was already in the midst of a mental health crisis, with historic rates of overdoses and suicides devastating families coast to coast. The mental health implications of this pandemic could reverberate for years to come if not properly addressed. Most urgently, more people will need help due to isolation, … Continued
