David
Joined: 12 Feb 2005
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 3:14 am Post subject: Companies Required to Offer Mental Health Insurance |
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By MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writer
Wed Apr 27, 8:05 AM ET
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Senate has approved a scaled-back measure requiring insurance companies to offer coverage for mental illnesses in much the same way they cover physical ailments.
Without debate, the Senate sent the measure to Gov. Tom Vilsack on Tuesday. Vilsack said he will sign the bill into law.
"This is a significant step forward," Vilsack said. "This is also an example of the good work that can be done when we work together in a bipartisan fashion focused on the needs of Iowans."
Under the measure, businesses which offer health insurance to their workers must include coverage for mental health treatment for diseases that are biologically based. The measure applies to businesses with 50 or more workers.
"We've talked about mental health parity in this state for a number of years," Vilsack said. "There will be Iowans today and over the course of the next several years whose lives will be improved because of this legislation. Hopefully, they will get help sooner."
Some mental health advocates say the measure has significant shortcomings. It doesn't include coverage for substance abuse treatment, among the most common mental diseases that is also among the most expensive to treat. In addition, conditions such as eating disorders, attention deficit disorders and others are not covered.
Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson, an advocate on mental health issues, said the measure, while not perfect, is a good step forward.
"There will be some people who are not happy or satisfied with the limitations of this bill," Pederson said. "We see it as a first step."
Pederson has lobbied Vilsack to for a mental health parity measure, and she said history of the issue in other states has shown that scaled-back measures are often expanded.
"We know from other states that have passed limited mental health parity bills that they build upon them," Pederson said.
Business interests warn that a sweeping mental health measure would drive up the costs of health insurance to the point that many businesses would simply stop offering coverage. |
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