WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 19, 2021 – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Build Back Better Act, which, among its $2 trillion in spending, includes significant needed investments in mental health and substance use disorder care. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) applauds the House for including these provisions in the Act and urges the Senate to ensure they are retained in the final reconciliation package.
Among the many health care provisions APA supports are those expanding:
- Mental Health Parity: The 2008 federal parity law requires that insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) services be no more restrictive than coverage for other medical care. Full compliance with this law has yet to be achieved but is essential given the...