Since 2001, ALL federal employees & their dependents (8.5 Million+ ) have had FULL mental health insurance parity in their group health insurance plan (FEBHP) due to the executive order of President William Clinton. The cost has been minimal & insurance carriers have had NO problem determining when mental illness care was medically necessary.

For many years, “special interests” have been successful in keeping private sector insureds from having this meaningful coverage.
The NEW legislation states that “mental health benefits” mean benefits with respect to services for mental health conditions, as defined under the terms of the plan and in accordance with applicable Federal and State law. In other words, NO DSM IV definitions of mental illness, each PLAN will decide what Mental illness the plan will cover.
Whatever “Mental Illness” is covered would need to be covered in the same manner as regular illness, like Heart problems. In reality, this plan provides parity insurance coverage for “the chosen” mental problems designated.
This legislation is certainly BETTER than any prior federal legislation on the subject.
The legislation requires the GAO to prepare periodic studies which must include an analysis of which diagnoses are most commonly covered or excluded.
This legislation does NOT provide coverage on par with the Federal Employees Group Health program.
It certainly is a step forward for private sector Americans.

Since 2001, ALL federal employees & their dependents (8.5 Million+ ) have had FULL mental health insurance parity in their group health insurance plan (FEBHP) due to the executive order of President William Clinton. The cost has been minimal & insurance carriers have had NO problem determining when mental illness care was medically necessary.

For many years, “special interests” have been successful in keeping private sector insureds from having this meaningful coverage.
The NEW legislation states that “mental health benefits” mean benefits with respect to services for mental health conditions, as defined under the terms of the plan and in accordance with applicable Federal and State law. In other words, NO DSM IV definitions of mental illness, each PLAN will decide what Mental illness the plan will cover.
Whatever “Mental Illness” is covered would need to be covered in the same manner as regular illness, like Heart problems. In reality, this plan provides parity insurance coverage for “the chosen” mental problems designated.
This legislation is certainly BETTER than any prior federal legislation on the subject.
The legislation requires the GAO to prepare periodic studies which must include an analysis of which diagnoses are most commonly covered or excluded.
This legislation does NOT provide coverage on par with the Federal Employees Group Health program.
It certainly is a step forward for private sector Americans.

________________________

clark

Addiction Recovery Washington

The House legislation is more in line with the Federal employees coverage.

I find it outrageous that our Representatives HAVE this coverage & we, private sector turkeys are denied this coverage.

Are we really seeing the power of special interest money over the needs of ordinary voting citizens ?

Its overtime for a real parity bill to become law. Just give US the same coverage the Federal employees have no more, no less.

Let us eliminate the BS being circulated & deal with the issue.

I have not failed to notice none of the doomsayers mention the Federal employee parity success.

I get tired of the SAME bull. Knock it off & stop the con job !