Dr. David Shern, president and CEO of Mental Health America (MHA), talked about the national mental health parity law that took effect yesterday (January 1, 2010). The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act provides for equal treatment of mental health, alcohol and substance abuse disorders, and will provide mental health services and substance abuse coverage to 113 million Americans. MHA called passage of the bill "A great civil rights victory for millions of Americans who have been unable to access mental health treatment." He also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.