Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (click here)
Office of Applied Studies
Division of Population Surveys
1 Choke Cherry Road, Room 7-1044
Rockville, MD 20857
September 2009
Date: 1/29/2010
Media Contact: HHS: (202) 690-6145
Telephone: 240-276-2130
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ISSUES RULES REQUIRING PARITY IN TREATMENT OF MENTAL, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (click here)
Paul Wellstone, Pete Domenici Parity Act Prohibits Discrimination The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury today jointly issued new rules providing parity for consumers enrolled in group health plans who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders.
“The rules we are issuing today will, for the first time, help assure that those diagnosed with these debilitating and sometimes life-threatening disorders will not suffer needless or arbitrary limits on their care,” said Secretary Sebelius. “I applaud the long-standing and bipartisan effort that made these important new protections possible.”
“Today’s rules will bring needed relief to families faced with meeting the cost of obtaining mental health and substance abuse services,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The benefits will give these Americans access to greatly needed medical treatment, which will better allow them to participate fully in society. That’s not just sound policy, it’s the right thing to do.”
“Workers covered by group health plans who need mental health and substance abuse care deserve fair treatment,” said Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin. “These rules expand on existing protections to ensure that people don't face unnecessary barriers to the treatment they need.”
The new rules prohibit group health insurance plans—typically offered by employers—from restricting access to care by limiting benefits and requiring higher patient costs than those that apply to general medical or surgical benefits. The rules implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA)....
