Mental Health and Addiction Parity Act Passed With Economic Bailout
Feel bad about the US Economy right now? You’re not alone. Are you worried about your ability to pay for mental health and drug treatment? The US government may have actually made it easier for you this past week. The 700 billion dollar bailout bill had several tag-along projects attached to make it more palatable to Congress. One of those extra items was the Mental Health and Addiction Parity Act of 2008.
Drug Addiction and Mental Health Coverage Is A Beam of Light In The Darkness
Amongst all the bad news of the economy, this has managed to finally make it past the Senate and singed into law last week. It had passed in the House several months ago, but was apparently facing roadblocks in the Senate. Many Americans disagree with or at least have misgivings about the whole economic bailout package. And some of the “sweeteners” were puzzling (wooden arrows?), triggering more anger because it looks like typical excessive government spending.
That all being said, it seems that at least for people with mental illness and drug addiction, one truly positive thing has come of this whole mess. While victories are few and far between here, getting mental health and addiction treatment coverage on equal footing with other aspects of medical coverage can only be considered a positive thing.
Untreated Mental Health and Addiction Add Up The Costs
Where was the inequity in addiction and Mental health insurance coverage? Restrictions on coverage have sometimes been greater on mental health diagnoses than other physical problems. I don’t know if this has happened universally, but it was recognized as enough of a problem across the nation to spur on this bill more than 10 years ago.
Companies increasing their total coverage of ailments may face higher costs of operation. Simply put, more claims come in wanting money for services, so there are fears about how companies will get the money for it. However, it’s important to know that mental illness is closely linked with many other physical problems, which are the behaviors most noticed by a company’s human resource department.
Higher absenteeism and lost productivity when at work are major draws on company resources. These cost companies thousands if not millions of dollars year in and year out. If increased coverage for mental illnesses and addictions can improve those problems, businesses purchasing insurance coverage may be willing to take a slightly higher insurance cost to improve their overall bottom line.
Improved Health Insurance Coverage For Drug Addiction and Mental Health Connects Mind and Body
The lack of equality in insurance coverage we’ve seen is another example of the disconnect Westernized countries have with mental illness and physical health. Nations with Eastern philosophies and cultures have historically connected the mind and body much more closely. Take a look at any “alternative health” treatment (such , and you see the difference. Interesting that it is called “alternative” therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, meditation, and others have been around for thousands of years.
So if you are needing drug treatment, mental health treatment, or both, you can now look for more equal opportunity insurance coverage for your needs. The fate of the US economy? It’s hard to tell what will happen in the coming days and months. Regardless, don’t hesitate to do what’s best for your addiction and mental health problems. Drug rehab works and can bring new hope for you.
Tags: drug treatment, drug-rehab, Mental Health and Addiction Parity Act Passed With Econ
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