New Insurance Legislation Would End Discrimination Against People With Mental Health Disorders

Today, the United States Senate took an important step toward meeting the mental health needs of tens of millions of Americans by introducing new legislation to end discrimination against people with mental health disorders and assure treatment is available for those who need it. The Mental Health Parity Act of 2007, introduced by Sens. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Michael Enzi (R- Wyo.), would provide mental health insurance coverage equivalent to physical health coverage, benefiting 113 million Americans in large group health plans.

"Having a mental health disorder can be as serious as having a heart attack or any other debilitating, life-threatening physical health disorder. In addition, there is a clear connection between mental health disorders and physical ailments," says Russ Newman, PhD, JD, APA executive director for professional practice. "With the passage of this bill, insurers may no longer arbitrarily limit the number of hospital days or outpatient treatment sessions, or use higher copayments or deductibles for people in need of psychological services."

This new legislation, modeled on the current Federal Employee Health Benefits Program covering 8.5 million federal employees, strengthens provisions in the original Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 and closes loopholes in this law. The 2007 bill requires that copayments for office visits, deductibles, limits on number of visits, out-of-network and in-network services for psychological services be treated the same as physical health services. It also includes coverage for substance abuse and chemical dependency services. In addition, the bill preserves existing state laws requiring diagnoses coverage.

According to APA consumer research, 85 percent of Americans say health insurance should cover mental health services. And 87 percent say it's lack of insurance coverage that most keeps them from seeing a mental health professional.

"Health care coverage in this country needs to catch up with what people increasingly understand...the mind and body are linked inextricably," says Newman. "Congress can help improve access to mental health services and end insurance discrimination against those suffering from mental health disorders by passing the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007."

The American Psychological Association (APA), located in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 150,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its 54 divisions and its affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science and profession, and as a means of promoting health, education, and human welfare.

American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org