mr. ramstad. mr. ramstad has struggled with alcoholism and mr. kennedy has been open about his past struggles with addiction. in 1996, a weak version passed then but the insurance companies used loopholes to get around the legislations. the legislation effectively closes those loopholes. both men are making sure all provisions of the act are fully implemented under the administration's new health care law. both ramstad and kennedy retired from congress. mr. ramstad continues to work on mental health issues and is a board member on the national center on addiction and drug abuse at columbia university. mr. kennedy is currently living in new jersey and is recently married and expecting a child. congratulations. >> thank you very much for that kind introduction. i didn't know you were a democrat, kennedy. i want to thank all of you for being here own behalf of the parity coalition. and especially thanks to all of you who have worked so hard, some of you since 1996 in the very begin on the mental health and chemical addiction treatment parity act. i