Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Work To Strengthen Mental Health Parity

HARTFORD, CT — It’s been almost a decade since the federal mental health parity bill was signed into law, but advocates say more needs to be done to ensure those with mental health or substance use disorders are being treated equally for their conditions.

In order to hold the insurance industry accountable for how the federal parity law is applied in Connecticut both Democrats and Republicans are backing a bill that would require insurance companies to submit annual reports concerning parity for mental health and substance use disorders. The bill would go further in requiring health insurance coverage for prescription drugs prescribed for substance use disorders and would require health insurance coverage of substance use disorder regardless of a court order.

Connecticut’s legislation builds upon the package of laws passed in the wake of the Sandy Hook School shooting, which sought to improve access to mental health and behavioral health services.

Rep. Brenda Kupchick, R-Fairfield, said there are people in Connecticut who are suffering just trying to get help for their family members.

Read more: https://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/20190305_bipartisan_group_of_lawmakers_work_to_strengthen_mental/