The Senate bill, sponsored by Pete Domenici (R-NM), greatly benefits Americans suffering from mental illness.Senators Pass Mental Health Assistance BillBy Cliff Montgomery – Oct. 19th, 2007The House on Wednesday received for consideration a Senate bill which, if made law, would finally ensure that Americans suffering from mental illness receive the same level of treatment as those suffering from physical problems.This bold legislation was sponsored by Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM), and was co-sponsored by 57 of Domenici’s fellow senators. They deserve the thanks of Americans everywhere.Below we offer the Congressional Research Service summary of the Senate bill:“Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 – (Sec. 2) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act to require a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and mental health benefits to ensure that:
- (1) the financial requirements applicable to such mental health benefits are no more restrictive than those of substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan, including deductibles and co-payments; and
- (2) the treatment limitations applicable to such mental health benefits are no more restrictive than those applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan, including limits on the frequency of treatments or similar limits on the scope or duration of treatment.
“Prohibits the plan from establishing separate cost sharing requirements that are applicable only with respect to mental health benefits.”Requires that such a plan ensure that the requirements of this Act are applied to both in- and out-of-network services, if offered, by comparing in-network medical and surgical benefits to in-network mental health benefits and out-of network medical and surgical benefits to out-of-network mental health benefits.”Excludes from the requirements of this Act any group health plan: (1) for an employer with not more than 50 employees; or (2) whose costs of compliance with this Act increase the total costs of coverage by more than a specified percentage. Requires that determinations as to increases in actual costs under a plan be made by a qualified actuary and be made available to the public.”(Sec. 4) Supersedes any provision of state law that establishes, implements, or continues in effect any standard or requirement that differs from the requirements of this Act, except for laws relating to the individual insurance market or small employers.”(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an individual within their departments as the group health plan ombudsman to serve as an initial point of contact to permit individuals to obtain information and provide assistance concerning coverage of mental health services under group health plans in accordance with this Act.”Requires the Secretaries to provide for the conduct of random audits of group health plans to ensure compliance with this Act.”Requires the Comptroller General to study the effect of this Act on the cost of health insurance coverage, access to such coverage, the quality of health care, and the impact on benefits and coverage for mental health and substance abuse.”Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
