Alaska State Legislature
News from the Senate and House Majorities

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary, (907) 258-8164
Wendy Lindskoog, Senator Majority Press Secretary, (907) 258-8184
716 W 4th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Alaska Mental Health Parity Task Force to Meet

Goal is Parity for Insurance Coverage of Mental Illnesses

For Immediate Release: August 18, 1998 Contact: Julie Tauriainen at (907) 224-2051or Walter Majoros at (907) 465-3072.

Anchorage -- The Alaska Legislature's Mental Health Parity Task Force will hold its first meeting Wednesday, August 19, 1998, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API), 2900 Providence Drive, Anchorage.

The Mental Health Parity Task Force was established by the 20th Alaska Legislature to examine how to achieve parity for mental illnesses in insurance coverage. This initial meeting will examine federal legislation regarding parity as well as how other states have implemented it. The task force will also organize itself and establish a work plan for establishing parity in Alaska.

The Mental Health Parity Task Force is composed of four legislators and seven members representing the Administration and the public. The 11-member task force is co-chaired by Rep. Gary Davis (R-Soldotna) and Sen. John Torgerson (R-Kasilof).

# # #

Mental Health Parity Task Force
Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, August 19, 1998
Alaska Psychiatric Institute

10:00 to Noon

Introductions

Review of SCR 14 - Task Force Mission

Background information on Mental Health Parity

Draft Work Plan and Time Line for Task Force

Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Lunch at API

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Review & Approve Guiding Principles for Task Force

Opportunities for public testimony

Discuss & set future meeting schedule

Adourn