History

Wellstone Regional Hospital was named after the late senator Paul Wellstone, his wife Sheila and daughter Marsha who died in a plane crash in October 2002. Wellstone Hospital strives to represent the values and strong character of the Wellstones by serving the mentally ill and the chemically dependent.

About Senator Paul Wellstone

Senator Wellstone and his family were true champions of America's underserved and committed to helping persons suffering from mental illness and domestic violence.

Senator Wellstone's colleagues referred to him as the social conscience of the U.S. Senate. He repeatedly demonstrated that he believed in humanitarian principals over politics.

Although he was short in stature, he was a giant when it came to advocating the needs of persons with mental illness. Part of the Wellstone legacy was his determination and leadership in implementing national legislation to address the issue of mental health insurance parity.

Wellstone Legislation for the Mentally Ill

On February 27, 2003, U.S. Senators Ted Kennedy and Pete Domenici introduced the "Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2003" (Senate Bill 486). President Bush supports his legislation. Senate Bill 486 helps ensure greater parity in the coverage of health benefits. It prohibits group health insurance plans from treating mental health benefits differently than medical or surgical benefits.

Special Recognition

In the lobby of Wellstone Regional Hospital, we display educational resources regarding Senator Paul Wellstone and his effort to eliminate discrimination against individuals and families who suffer from the painful effects of mental illness.