Mental Health America Hails Approval Of Federal Parity Legislation

Mental Health America today hailed as "a great civil rights victory" the approval of mental health parity legislation that will broadly outlaw health insurance discrimination against Americans with mental health and substance-use conditions in employer-sponsored health plans. The legislation, which recognizes the importance of mental health to overall health, bans employers and insurers from imposing stricter limits on coverage for mental health and substance-use conditions than those set for other health problems. It will provide parity for 82 million Americans covered by self-insured plans and another 31 million in plans that are subject to state regulation. It is estimated that roughly 67 percent of adults and 80 percent of children requiring mental health services do not receive help, in large part because of... [read full story]