Mental health coverage protected

Debra L. Wentz of NJ Association of Mental Health Agencies
To the editor:
    Congress’ passage of the $700 billion financial markets bill with the inclusion of mental health/addiction parity will have a significant impact on the health of not only the economy, but also the lives of children and adults who have mental illnesses, addictions or co-occurring disorders.
   Last week, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed — and President Bush signed — the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and placed the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 (H.R. 1424) in the context of this larger bill.
   The parity law prohibits group health plans from imposing limits on inpatient days or outpatient visits and from requiring higher deductibles or cost sharing for mental illness or addiction treatment. These changes will make coverage for mental illnesses and addictions at an equal level as medical-surgical coverage.
   We are delighted that Congress recognized the critical connection between the nation’s economic crisis and the mental health needs of our citizens. The same factors that are contributing to the economic downturn are putting the nation at risk of a mental health crisis. Unemployment, foreclosures, stock losses and uncertainty about the future all combine to stress the mental health of our citizens. As taxpayers step in to provide $700 billion for investment banks, it is only appropriate that they are assured of fair coverage of their mental health needs. It is time to end the discriminatory practices of requiring higher deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance and out of pocket expenses that serve as barriers to necessary treatment.
Debra L. Wentz, CEO
New Jersey Association
of Mental Health Agencies, Inc.