Friday, March 04, 2005

Bills would create parity for physical, mental health coverage (Texas) AP story at the Star-Telegram - "Health insurance policies regulated by the state would have to offer mental health treatment and medications equal to their regular medical coverage under proposals before the Texas Legislature. A House Republican and a Democrat filed similar bills on the issue this week. Parity in mental health coverage would benefit businesses as well as consumers because of improved employee productivity and reduced absenteeism resulting from mental health problems, said Rep. Joe Nixon, R-Houston, as he introduced his bill Thursday."  
  

Mental illness coverage proposed (South Carolina) Story at The State - "Insurers would have to cover treatment for mental illness just as they do for cancer or diabetes under a bill that gets a hearing in the General Assembly today. South Carolina is one of 16 states that do not require insurers to cover treatment for mental illness. The bill also would forbid insurers from charging higher rates to cover mental illness than other diseases and would direct them to establish a set of conditions that qualify for coverage."  
  

Mental-health parity approved (Washington) Seattle Times story - "Convinced that an illness of the mind is as important as one of the lungs or heart, the state Senate yesterday passed a landmark bill that demands equal insurance coverage for mental and physical illnesses. Gov. Christine Gregoire is expected to sign the bill into law as early as next week. The 40-9 bipartisan vote comes five weeks after the state House approved the measure and ends seven years of frustration for proponents who saw the idea rejected session after session. "