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

alcoholic or addict increase health care costs that are 100% higher than patrick kennedy's and jim ramstad's or anybody else who is in recovery. think of that. the average person out there who is addicted, drugging and drinking still, has health care costs 100% higher than that treated alcoholic or a person suffering from a mental disorder. the cost the "wall street journal and" pointed out was $40,000 sucked out from the gdp. i could go on and gagne -- on and on here we show them weather is the california or the minnesota study -- i could go on forever. there have been many studies corroborating what i am saying. in the end, this will save the insurance companies money. those of a company supporting parity learned that well. -- those eight companies supporting. he learned that well. >> do you think the anonymous contributors to the stigma and discrimination against? ? ts?dic >> i did not have a choice. i get a lot of grief from my fellows in recovery. at the same time, i am a u.s. citizen. one of the things that bill w. did is he testified in front of congress. it was about saving our fello