Former U.S. Congressman Jim Ramstad has joined Hazelden as a policy advisor on issues relating to addiction, treatment and recovery. In addition to health care reform, his main focus will be on the implementation of a new law that will increase access to addiction and mental health treatment through private insurance.
According to Mark Mishek, president and CEO of Hazelden, Ramstad has been nothing short of a “tireless advocate” for those who struggle with addiction.
“His personal passion and his legislative leadership will help not just Hazelden, but our entire field, at a crucial time in the public policy arena,” Mishek said.
Ramstad was a chief co-sponsor of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which was signed into law in October of 2008 but will take full effect this year. The law ends discriminatory insurance restrictions by making addiction and mental illness as entitled to health coverage as other physical illness, and requiring most insurance plans to provide equal coverage for both.
“My experience in Washington taught me there is still a long way to go to convince our elected officials that addiction to alcohol or other drugs is America’s number one health problem,” Ramstad said.
Ramstad, who served in the Minnesota Legislature from 1981-1990, looks forward to joining the “renowned Hazelden,” and hopes that together, “they can change the terms of the debate for the sake of those still suffering from the disease of addiction.”
