Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Senate Unanimously Approves Mental Health Bill
Last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill that would require health insurance plans to provide equal coverage for physical and mental health conditions. Currently, some health plans have restrictions on coverage for mental healthcare.
In 1996, a similar bill was passed that lifted many restrictions of mental healthcare coverage. This new bill builds upon the ’96 legislation, adding rules for copayments, deductibles, and length of treatment, reported the New York Times.
“This new legislation will bring dramatic new help to millions of Americans who today are denied needed mental healthcare,” said Senator Edward Kennedy.
The House of Representatives will also draw up their own version of a mental healthcare bill. So far, the House bill has over 270 representatives co-sponsoring.
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