“The passage tonight of the Mental Health Parity bill underscores our commitment to treat all patients facing all diseases with the dignity and respect they deserve,” said Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat and a co-sponsor.
A NYT article heralds Tuesday night’s unanimous passage of the bill, a major milestone for American health insurance parity advocates. I’m sure John will have more to say on the matter later, but here’s a good news headline for the morning in Eastern time (late night in PST).
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Links to This Article
Health Tips Blog » Mental Health Parity Passed (9/19/2007)
Health And Fitness Megasite » Mental Health Parity Passed (9/20/2007)
One Comment to
“Mental Health Parity Passed”
The bill, which now goes to the House, would apply to employee health plans at companies with 51 or more employees. About 113 million Americans are covered by these plans.
The insurance companies would not have to offer any mental health benefits, but if they do, the coverage has to be the same as for other illnesses.
The first attempt at mental health parity was passed in 1996. It prohibited insurance companies from imposing lower annual limits on the payments for mental health coverage than for other illnesses.
But four years later, congressional investigators determined that 87% of insurance companies were erecting other cost barriers to mental health treatments.
Since then, 34 states passed some form of mental health parity legislation.
Join the Conversation! Post a Comment:
Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 19 Sep 2007
