Health Care Reform Update: Mental Health Parity in Iowa
by Alta L. Price, M.D.Although I am excited about the potential for health care reform at the federal level this year, we need to do what we can on the state level as well. Last fall Congress passed Mental Health Parity legislation which was signed into law. There is a bill in the Iowa House, HF 234 requiring insurers in Iowa to cover mental health conditions at the same level as they cover physical health conditions. Although Iowa already has some mental health parity laws, the current laws exclude some mental illnesses and alcohol or substance abuse treatment. Likewise, the federal legislation exempts some plans, whereas this Iowa legislation would apply to all plans (at least all plans subject to state law, which is not really “all” plans).
The current Iowa mental health parity law applies to the more expensive mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, and autism. Contrary to the opponents of this bill, adding the rest of the mental illnesses and substance abuse treatment will not result in marked increases in cost of premiums. We know because other states with mental health parity laws did not see a major increase in premiums. For example, in Vermont health insurance premiums increased 19 cents per member per month after implementing mental health parity. And there are obvious benefits to employers, individuals, and society to treating these disorders.
The
bill is called the “Equality in Health Care Coverage & Veterans
Wellness Act” – it also gives veterans access to treatment without
waiting to get services from the VA health system. Apparently, Iowa
House members are not hearing much from supporters of this bill.
Please contact your Iowa House Representative and ask them to support mental health parity! Find your legislator here.
Alta
Price is a physician practicing Pathology in Davenport, Iowa. One of
the original Deaniacs, she stays involved with Democracy for America,
Iowa, and the Quad Cities. She advocates for quality, affordable health
care for all, primarily as a volunteer with Progressive Action for the
Common Good (Health Care Reform Issue Forum). Watch for Dr. Price's Health Care Reform Update every Tuesday here on Blog for Iowa.
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