Backers hopeful for vote on mental health bill
by The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Proponents of mental health insurance long championed by the late Senator Paul Wellstone are hoping that Congress will finally pass the bill this week.

The legislation would mandate equal health insurance coverage for mental and physical illnesses when policies cover both, known as mental health parity.

Both chambers of Congress have already passed different versions of the bill, but negotiators recently reached a compromise. However, before the legislation comes to the floor, they need to find savings in other areas to help pay for it.

Wellstone, a Minnesota Democrat, died in 2002 _ and members of Congress have vowed to pass the bill since then to honor him. It's also a priority of Congressman Jim Ramstad, a Minnesota Republican who's retiring at the end of this term.