politics

WASHINGTON -- David Wellstone seemed more relaxed than someone participating in a Capitol Hill news conference usually does, maybe because he's used to it. His hands were folded over his knee as he listened to two Congressmen and a former first lady discuss a bill bearing his late father's name.

The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, stuck for more than a decade in a legislative gridlock, should have its day this fall. The bill -- which would bolster insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse patients -- is guaranteed a vote on the House floor by Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

"I help any way I possibly can," said Wellstone, who chairs the Wellstone Action organization. "This was my father's passion."

Wellstone's way of helping begins every two weeks when he boards a D.C.-bound plane in San Francisco. When he arrives in Washington, he meets up with Reps. Jim Ramstad, R-Minn., and Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., to help nudge along the bill by lobbying for it in the halls of Congress.

On Tuesday, Wellstone spoke briefly at a news conference that included former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Kennedy and Rep. Robert Andrews, D-N.J. Ramstad attended the hearing that followed before the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. Wellstone testified.

Wellstone said the bill is "near and dear" to his heart because his uncle has a mental illness, and it was his father's crusade during his time in D.C.

Kennedy and Ramstad have worked long and hard on the bill. Kennedy said any given weekend in his home state, 80 percent of emergency room patients are being treated for drug- and alcohol-related injuries.

"Prisons have become the mental health system of last resort," Kennedy said, as Wellstone gave an approving nod.

Asked a political question, Wellstone declined to throw his powerful Democratic name behind Al Franken or Mike Ciresi, both DFL U.S. Senate hopefuls in Minnesota.

"It's too early, but I'll support the DFL candidate when that happens," Wellstone said. "They are both my friends."

Jake Sherman • 202-408-2723 • jsherman@startribune.com