As many as 30 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder, but only one in 10 people with an eating disorder will receive treatment; the bipartisan Anna Westin Act that Klobuchar introduced would ensure that health insurance companies provide equal coverage of residential treatment for eating disorders and would provide education and training for health professionals on the early identification and intervention of eating disorders
The Mental Health Act of 2016, which contains provisions similar to the Anna Westin Act, today passed the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee earlier today and will now head to the full Senate for a vote
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today announced that provisions to help increase awareness, identification and treatment of eating disorders passed the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. As many as 30 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder, but only one in 10 people with an eating disorder will receive treatment. The bipartisan Anna Westin Act that Klobuchar introduced with Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) would clarify the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act to ensure health insurance companies provide equal coverage of residential treatment for eating disorders and would provide education and training for health professionals on the early identification and intervention of eating disorders. The Mental Health Act of 2016, which includes multiple provisions similar to Klobuchar’s Anna Westin Act, passed the HELP Committee earlier today and will now head to the full Senate for a vote.
“Millions of Americans suffer from eating disorders but very few get the help they need,” said Klobuchar. “Whether that is due to late detection or insurance coverage, we should be doing more to give patients like Anna the support they need. Today’s vote brings us one step closer to passing legislation that would help prevent future tragedies.”
Anna Westin of Chaska, Minnesota was diagnosed with anorexia when she was 16-years-old. After completing her sophomore year at the University of Oregon, Anna’s health was deteriorating quickly – facing liver malfunction and dangerously low body temperatures and blood pressure. Despite the urgency of her condition, her family was informed that they had to wait until their insurance company ‘certified’ Anna’s treatment, ultimately delaying and limiting the treatment Anna received. After struggling with the disease for five years, Anna committed suicide at the age of 21. These provisions are from the Anna Westin Act, which was named in honor of her.
Klobuchar has been a long-standing leader in ensuring that all Americans have access to the mental health services they need. She was a cosponsor of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act that was signed into law in October 2008. The law requires health insurance companies to provide equal coverage of both mental and physical health issues. Klobuchar pushed hard for final regulations for this law, which were issued in December 2013. She also sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Labor urging the agencies to fully implement and enforce the law.
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