News Releases

HARTFORD, Conn., & Washington, D.C., October 03, 2008 — Aetna ( NYSE: AET ) applauds Members of the House and Senate for reaching a landmark agreement on mental health parity that is supported by medical professionals, consumer advocates, hospitals, employers, health plans - including Aetna - and other stakeholders.  Coming as it did as part of the complicated economic stability package, this important legislation demonstrates our country's firm commitment to improving heath care for millions of Americans. The bill now goes to the President's desk for signature.

Aetna has been a proponent of workable mental-health parity legislation since 2004, when Senate leaders approached the company to work on this issue, and we have worked with Members of Congress and other stakeholders to help resolve differences in language between competing bills.  Once signed, this new law will promote parity in health care coverage for mental health illnesses improving the quality of health care overall. 
 
"Aetna is proud to have played a significant role in this landmark legislation," said Ronald A. Williams, Chairman and CEO of Aetna. "We as a nation are in a position to finally write into law important changes to our health care system while protecting its economic stability, and to help deliver improved benefits to mental health patients throughout the country.

"The legislation will benefit all Americans because it makes mental health treatment accessible and affordable.  Aetna's members will be better able to achieve improved health outcomes through integrated medical and behavioral benefits and services."

About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.2 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. www.aetna.com