|
|
Article: HHS: Rules Published Requiring Parity in Mental Health Benefits
- Article from:
- U.S. Newswire
- Article date:
- December 19, 1997
CopyrightCopyright 1997 U.S. Newswire. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Department of Health
and Human Services today took an important and positive step toward
ending discrimination on the basis of mental illness by publishing
final rules to guide group health plans as they meet their
Congressionally mandated obligations under the Mental Health Parity
Act of 1996 (MPHA). The law, which takes effect January 1, 1998,
requires health plans, such as those sponsored by employers, to
provide the same annual and lifetime spending caps for mental
health benefits as they do for medical and surgical benefits.
"Access to mental health benefits is important," said HHS
Secretary Donna Shalala. "We believe this new law is a ...