Bush Signs Bipartisan Legislation Containing Mental Health Parity Provision 

Following the Senate's lead, the House approved bipartisan legislation designed to provide Americans with greater access to mental health and addiction treatments. The Bush administration supports the measure and the president signed the bill (PL 110-343) on October 3, 2008.

Senate lawmakers attached the mental health parity legislation to a $700 billion economic rescue package in an attempt to lure House members to support the bill. The House narrowly rejected similar bailout legislation on September 29 but approved the new package (H.R. 1424) by a 263-171 vote on October 3.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., a primary sponsor of the parity legislation, said the House vote marks "the end of mental health discrimination." Under the bill, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, health insurance companies that provide mental health benefits would be required to do so on the same terms as care for physical ailments. The bill would prohibit employer group health plans from imposing higher copayments, steeper deductibles, maximum out-of-pocket limits and lower visit limits unless comparable terms are imposed on benefits for physical health problems.

Group health plans would not be required to offer mental health benefits under the bill. But those that do would have to offer similar terms and conditions as they offer for medical and surgical benefits. Employers with fewer than 50 or employees would be exempt from the act's requirements.

Reprinted with permission. © CCH

Bush Signs Bipartisan Legislation Containing Mental Health Parity Provision  Following the Senate's lead, the House approved bipartisan legislation designed to provide Americans with greater access to mental health and addiction treatments. The Bush administration supports the measure and the president