Making Parity Real
The next Making Parity Real symposium will be announced soon. Please check back for updates.
Making Parity Real is a statewide series of symposia designed to help shape the future of addiction and mental health treatment in Wisconsin. Each symposium features a moderated dialogue among state policymakers and northcentral Wisconsin stakeholders to assess the major state policy challenges facing addiction and mental health services in Wisconsin.
Discussion explores:
- The quantity, cultural competency and location of providers.
- The adequacy of public and private funding sources.
- The ability of non-medical providers to administer treatment.
- Strategies to reduce stigma.
- Other non-financial barriers to receiving treatment services.
Making Parity Real also features updates on the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343), emerging Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations on addiction and mental health treatment, and Wisconsin legislative proposals including the Wisconsin Parity Act. The Wisconsin Parity Act will require most group health plans in Wisconsin to provide mental health and substance abuse disorder benefits at parity levels, increasing treatment for hundreds of thousands of people in Wisconsin, saving lives and lowering costs.
All attendees will have the opportunity to join in the discussion of how to improve mental health and addiction treatment in Wisconsin during breakout sessions.
Making Parity Real is a statewide series; based on information learned during this and other symposia, state lawmakers and policymakers will be presented with recommendations to improve the treatment of mental health and addiction illnesses and disorders in Wisconsin.
How Addiction Fuels CrimeAccording to Wausau Chief of Police Jeff Hardel, 70 percent of criminal activity is alcohol and drug-related. How Addiction Fuels Crime, a March 2 story by Wausau's WAOW, discusses the impact of untreated mental illness and addiction on the criminal justice system as well as the failure of insurance companies to provide adequate mental health and addiction benefits. |
Making Parity RealOn March 5, Rep. Donna Seidel (D-Wausau) co-hosted a Making Parity Real symposium in Wausau to help shape the future of addiction and mental health treatment in Wisconsin. Said Rep. Seidel: “It’s no secret anywhere that drug and alcohol issues and addictions create enormous problems for our communities all around Wisconsin. It’s really important that we address them early.” Watch the news story by Wausau's WAOW. |
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Wausau Daily Herald (March 2): Mental health care forum to focus on parity (PDF)
Making Parity Real is presented by: 
Learn more:
Milwaukee Addiction Treatment Initiative | Mental Health Policy Initiative
