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Great News for Children's Mental Health!
On February 4, 2009, Congress voted on final passage and the president signed into law an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Similar legislation had been vetoed twice by President Bush despite broad Congressional support.
The APA Practice Organization and Public Interest Directorate (PI) have supported the bill since 2007, and PI advocated effectively for the inclusion of provisions appropriately addressing the health and well being of under-served populations, including immigrant children and families, individuals with disabilities, people with HIV/AIDS and ethnic minorities. In addition to expanding the SCHIP program to four million more children, the package also includes language specifically clarifying that the Wellstone-Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 applies to SCHIP, ensuring parity for mental health and substance use disorder benefits.
The direct benefit of parity to psychologists is still unkown because the legislation changes the benefit, not the way mental health services are delivered. In other words, the legislation directs parity for mental health services, but does not direct that psychologists' services be used in the provision of those services. Regulations will be written directing how those services will be provided. The APA Practice Organization will be an active part of that process.
The passage of this legislation is a huge success because Congress has again recognized the importance of mental health in health care, and will provide vital services to children in need all across the nation.
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Michigan Legislative Update — MPA advocacy at work for psychologists.
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Michigan Parity News 2009 – Should insurers be required to provide the same level of benefits for those with mental health care diagnoses as they provide for those with physical health care diagnoses? Not in Michigan. Read more here:
Mental Health Parity Laws by State
Mental Health Parity Talking Points
Legislative Action Center at APAPractice.org – A service of the APA Practice Organization whose mission is to promote the professional interests of practicing psychologists in all settings through a wide range of activities. A 501(c)6 organization, it is able to advocate on behalf of the profession free of the IRS provisions that constrain advocacy activities of a 501(c)3 organization such as the APA. Read more »
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