Important bill signed in Connecticut today which will help improve access to lifesaving treatment for substance use disorders and mental health.
Shatterproof released the following statement on Connecticut’s Governor, Ned Lamont, signing into law House Bill 7125 today. The bill establishes state compliance with federal parity laws and eliminates some access limitations to mental health and substance use disorder benefits.
“The enactment of HB 7125 makes Connecticut have one of the strongest mental health parity laws in the nation. Countless families impacted by addiction will have improved access to lifesaving treatment as the result of this bill. We are so grateful to all the Shatterproof constituents in the state who advocated for this bill by calling their representatives and sharing their personal stories,” said Shatterproof Founder and CEO, Gary Mendell.
“This bill will remove the barriers to much needed treatment for those suffering from addiction disease. Thanks to Senator Matt Lesser, Rep. Sean Scanlon and Rep. Brenda Kupchik, as well as the Parity Coalition and so many leaders and advocates for helping to pass this very important legislation. There is so much more work to be done to mitigate the opioid addiction crisis in CT. This bill is a great step forward,” from Dita Bhargava, Shatterproof Ambassador and Connecticut resident who lost her son to a fentanyl overdose in 2018.
State of the issue:
In 2018, there were 1,017 opioid deaths in the state.
In 2016, Connecticut ranked 11th among all states in highest rate of overdoses.
Drug-induced death was the leading cause for injury death among adults in Connecticut.
About Gary Mendell:
Gary Mendell is the founder and CEO of Shatterproof. He founded Shatterproof to spare others the tragedy his family suffered with the loss of his son Brian to addiction in 2011. He is a frequent speaker on how our society can end the stigma unjustly associated with addiction, has been honored numerous times for his leadership related to reversing the course of the opioid epidemic, testified in front of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis and is a frequent commentator in the media. Mr. Mendell also serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the University of Pennsylvania’s Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI). He is an experienced businessman and CEO who founded HEI Hotels & Resorts and is the former president of Starwood Lodging Trust.
About Shatterproof:
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the devastation addiction causes families. Shatterproof is focused on ending the stigma of addiction and ensuring treatment in America is based upon proven research. The organization advocates for changes to federal and state policy, payer reform, provider ratings, and provides public education through family and workplace programs.
