In the United States having a mental illness carries a stigma. Most health insurance carriers do not have adequate coverage for mental health related issues such as hospitalization and psychotherapy. On September 18, 2007 the United States Senate passed legislation (S 558) that would require health insurers to provide the same level of coverage for treatment of mental illnesses as they do for physical illnesses (Senate Passes Mental Health Parity Legislation, 2007). One of the bill’s co-sponsors, Edward Kennedy, said that: "The passage tonight of the mental health parity bill underscores our commitment to treat all patients facing all diseases with the dignity and respect they deserve," adding, "This new legislation will bring dramatic new help to millions of Americans who today are denied needed mental health care and treatment." (Senate Passes Mental Health Parity Legislation, 2007). In the House of Representatives, the bill was referred to the Committee of Health who voted to amend the bill on September 26, 2007 (Summary of HR 1424, 2007). Turning this bill into law would greatly help those who suffer from mental illnesses. In the United States today about 6 percent, or 1 in 17 Americans suffer from a serious mental illness and it is estimated that mental illness affects 1 in 5 families in America (NAMI, 2007). Families can be very affected by the cost of treating mental illnesses. Care for illnesses are very expensive and most health insurers do not cover a lot of the costs, which can lead to serious financial problems. I strongly agree that this bill should become a law and hope that the House modifies the fact that the bill would exempt group health plans and companies from costs that exceeded 2% of the total plan cost in the first year or 1% in each year after (Senate Passes Mental Health Parity Legislation, 2007). Health insurance plans should cover the expenses one needs to stay healthy and keeping a mental illness under control falls into that category. The House voting this bill into law would help families such as mine. My father’s psychiatric hospitalizations were barely covered by my mother’s health insurance policy. Having him at home was detrimental to everyone else in the household but when my mother could not afford to keep him in an institution he was forced to return home. This aggravated my younger sister’s and my mental illness, whose treatments were also poorly covered. This resulted in severe debt for my family that my mother is struggling to over come. Now that I am no longer covered by my mother’s insurance finding a plan with good mental health coverage is difficult. Many plans do not cover treatment that is essential for me to survive and function within society. Mental illness impacts a person’s life and health just as much as a physical illness. In our society there is a stigma that comes with suffering from a mental illness, in addition the costs of treatment are very expensive which, leads to insurance companies to not cover the costs. I strongly agree with this bill and hope that it makes its way into law. It has the ability to impact many people’s lives in a positive way. *The bill has not been voted on by the house.