WASHINGTON — The House voted Wednesday to require equal health insurance coverage for mental and physical illnesses when policies cover both.
The 268-148 roll call was cheered by advocates who have been fighting more than a decade for what has come to be called mental-health parity.
Supporters said the measure would help end the stigma of mental illness and create greater access for people needing mental health and addiction treatment. Opponents said it could drive up health-care costs and force some employers to drop coverage.
The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 was named for the late Minnesota Democratic senator who championed the issue for years and who was killed in a 2002 plane crash.
“It’s a historic step,” said the late senator’s son, David, 42. “It’s a civil-rights bill for people with mental illnesses and chemical addiction. It forces insurance companies to treat them as they treat others.”
Forty-seven Republicans joined 221 Democrats in voting for the bill. Three Democrats voted against it.
The House vote sets the stage for talks with the Senate, which passed a narrower version of the bill last September with support from business and insurance groups. The White House said it favors the Senate bill.
ariz. votes
Democrats Gabrielle Giffords, Raúl Grijalva, Harry Mitchell and Ed Pastor voted for a bill to require equal health insurance coverage for mental and physical illnesses when policies cover both.
Republicans Jeff Flake, Trent Franks and John Shadegg opposed the measure.
Republican Rick Renzi didn’t vote.
Source: The Associated Press
Website: Original Article