Committee on Education and Labor : U.S. House of Representatives

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House Gives Final Approval to Increased Access to Mental Health Treatment  
Measure part of financial rescue plan to be signed by the President

Friday, October 3, 2008

 

WASHINGTON, DC -- {The U.S. House of Representatives gave final approval to a measure today that will help ensure better access to treatment for people suffering from mental illness. The measure was included as part of the financial rescue package approved today and is expected to be signed by President Bush.

The provision is identical to the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act (H.R. 6983) passed by the House last month. The bill would require group health insurance plans that cover mental and addiction health benefits to put those benefits on equal footing with physical ailments. Private health insurers generally provide less coverage for mental illnesses than for other medical conditions. 

"While approximately forty-four million Americans suffer from mental illness, only one-third actually receive treatment," said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. “As a result of this measure, millions of Americans will now have access to comprehensive and affordable mental health and substance abuse benefits.”

The measure prohibits employer group health plans from imposing limitations on coverage for mental illnesses that they do not impose on physical illnesses. For example, group health plans would have to offer the same terms for deductibles, limits on hospital stays and outpatient visits, and co-payments.  

The bill is named after the late Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-MN) and current Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM), both longtime advocate of mental health awareness and parity.

For more information on The Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, click here.

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