Mental Health Advocates Rejoice as
Health Insurance Discrimination Ends

October 3, 2008--The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law salutes Congress for passing mental health and addiction parity legislation.

"After years of debate and discrimination, the door to equitable coverage of
mental health services is open at last," said psychologist Robert Bernstein,
the Center's executive director.

The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of
2008 is included in the financial rescue bill signed by the President today. It ends differing coverage by health insurance for the millions of children and adults who require mental health and addiction treatment.  Many have delayed or avoided seeking treatment because of high out-of pocket costs and inequitable treatment restrictions.

"Parity is essential for a healthy nation," said Bernstein. "The Equity Act
will lower the barriers to mental health care that have led to a host of
adverse outcomes, including custody relinquishment to get access to care for a
child, school failure and even suicide."

The law enacted today provides parity between medical-surgical and mental health
and addiction benefits in plans that offer mental health coverage. It prohibits health insurance plans sponsored by businesses with 50 or more employees from imposing day and visit limits or applying different deductibles, co-payments, out-of-network charges and other financial requirements for treatment. The Equity Act builds on the 1996 Parity
Act, which provided limited parity for lifetime and annual dollar limits.