FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
October 8, 2008 Amy Zaagman
(517) 374-6848
azaagman@macmhb.orgMACMHB Applauds Federal Mental Health Parity Law,
Stresses Need for Parity Law in MichiganLANSING, Mich. – Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards (MACMHB) is pleased with the passing of a federal parity law but stresses the need for Michigan to still develop its own policy.
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act was passed Friday, and includes the mental health parity act. President Bush has already signed the legislation, which requires insurance companies that offer mental health benefits to ensure that co-payments, deductibles, covered hospital days and visits for mental health benefits are at the same level as benefits for other physical impairments.
MACMHB points out that Michigan still needs its own mental health parity law since the federal stature only covers those employers with self-insured plans, which are typically companies with 50 or more employees. Employers in Michigan that do not have self-insured plans are not required under the newly passed federal law to provide parity in their health benefits.
“We have long maintained that mental health deserved the same insurance coverage and protection as physical health,” said Amy Zaagman, associate director of MACMHB. “We are pleased with the historic step forward the federal parity law takes in protecting against discrimination. However many employees will not be included so Michigan lawmakers still need to close the loop and extend the coverage to those the federal law does not protect.”
Lack of parity laws in Michigan leaves approximately two million employees with health insurance suffering from discrimination. Michigan is one of only eight states without state-wide parity law enacted. MACMHB is a member of a statewide organization, Partners for Parity, that is united in seeing Michigan pass its own parity law.
“We’ve been disappointed that the state Legislature has not made this a priority,” Zaagman said. “Hopefully, the federal government’s action will motivate our lawmakers to take action yet this year.”
Bills have been introduced in each chamber, but have yet to see any hearings or movement (House Bills 4390-4393; and Senate Bills 329, 330, and 332-335.).
Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards was created in 1967 to support county mental health services programs (CMHSPs) in promoting, maintaining and improving a comprehensive range of community-based mental health services, which enhance the quality of life, promote the emotional well-being, and contribute to healthy and secure communities which benefit all of Michigan’s residents. Services managed and delivered by CMHSPs are designed to assist individuals in achieving, maintaining and maximizing their potential and are provided in accordance with the principles of person centered planning. For more information, please visit www.macmhb.org.