Where the candidates stand on mental healthcare

Where the candidates stand on mental healthcare

September 18, 2008

[..] The National Alliance on Mental Illness today released information from Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain on their views on mental healthcare. NAMI sent a questionnaire to all presidential candidates in both parties earlier this year. The questionnaire asked for the candidates' level of support on a range of issues in mental health -- from insurance parity to care for veterans. The candidates were encouraged to provide materials and explanations to support their positions. NAMI has posted the responses from Obama and McCain while noting that it is a nonpartisan organization and is not endorsing either candidate.

Obama responded to the 24-item questionnaire by saying he "strongly supported" every suggestion [mentioned in it]. He noted that he passed Illinois' mental parity law and, in the U.S. Senate, co-sponsored the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007. [..]

McCain provided a statement in lieu of specific answers. His campaign noted that it was not his policy to reply to questionnaires. In his statement, McCain noted that he has consistently supported public housing projects to shelter homeless Americans, many of whom are mentally ill. He cited the importance of personal responsibility, saying that better treatments for addiction are needed but "we also have an obligation to do a better job of teaching our children the benefits of good lifestyles and the perils of addictive activities." [..]

You can view Obama's answers and McCain's statement at the NAMI website.

"One out of four Americans are affected by mental illness at some point during their lifetimes," notes NAMI executive director Michael J. Fitzpatrick. "It does not discriminate between Democrats and Republicans. We hope mental health services will be addressed in the upcoming debates."

In early 2008, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) sent a questionnaire to all presidential candidates in each party. We encouraged candidates to provide us with other relevant materials or explanations of their positions on issues involving mental health even if they did not have time to respond to the questionnaire.

NAMI offers these responses and excerpts from party platforms for educational purposes only. NAMI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. Non-profit charitable organizations, including NAMI state and local affiliates, are prohibited by law from endorsing specific candidates. This information should not be used by any NAMI affiliate to endorse any candidate.

Democratic Presidential Nominee
Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois

* Questionnaire response

Republican Presidential Nominee
Sen. John McCain of Arizona

* Sen. McCain provided NAMI with a Mental Health Statement in lieu of a response to our questionnaire. The Campaign informed NAMI that it is his policy not to respond to questionnaires.]questionnaire[/url] to all presidential candidates in each party. We encouraged candidates to provide us with other relevant materials or explanations of their positions on issues involving mental health even if they did not have time to respond to the questionnaire.

NAMI offers these responses and excerpts from party platforms for educational purposes only. NAMI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. Non-profit charitable organizations, including NAMI state and local affiliates, are prohibited by law from endorsing specific candidates. This information should not be used by any NAMI affiliate to endorse any candidate.