Issue Position: Mental Health Industry

Issue Position

Q: What is your level of support for funding the Mental Health Industry?

A: I am proud to have been a co-sponsor of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, H.R. 1424, which ended discrimination against patients seeking treatment for mental illnesses. The bill was signed into law on October 3, 2008.

This legislation requires that health plans treat mental health and addiction coverage the same as any other health benefit. The measure was an important step toward reducing the stigma of mental health treatment and also provides a reasonable and reliable way for individuals to pay for needed services.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, but better known as health care reform) also includes several improvements for mental health coverage. Starting in 2014, substance abuse or mental illness can no longer be used by insurers to deny coverage as a "pre-existing condition" -- and insurers also won't be able to use those conditions to raise your premiums. Also in 2014, mental health and substance use disorder services will be part of the essential benefits package, a set of health care service categories that must be covered by certain plans, including all insurance policies that will be offered through the Exchanges, and Medicaid. These reforms all work to make the health insurance marketplace a more accessible, affordable place for people with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

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