mental health law expands federal rules Appleton Post Crescent
Assembly Majority Leader Tom Nelson, D-Kaukauna, and state Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber, D-Appleton, discussed the new law during a press conference at the Thompson Community Center.
The new law requires qualifying group health plans for businesses with 10 or more employees to offer coverage for the mentally ill and drug abusers equal to coverage offered for traditional medical and surgical care, including mandating access to physicians.
"For too long insurance companies have avoided covering mental illness and substance abuse," Nelson said. "This important legislation requires insurance companies to offer the same level of coverage for mental health as they offer for physical health."
The federal law, which took effect Oct. 3, 2009, affected larger businesses with 50 or more employees.
Up to 700,000 state residents not covered by the federal plan could benefit from the state's expanded version, said Bernard Schaber.
Bernard Schaber said the state mandate ends when similar language contained in federal health care reform recently signed into law by President Barack Obama takes effect.
June 1, CIGNA began offering individual health insurance plans in Connecticut. Their portfolio of health plans for CT residents include open access managed care plans and high-deductible health plans that are HSA eligible. Until this recent product launch, CIGNA had only offered health insurance to mid to large employer groups in Connecticut.![America's Health Care Priorities V: Taxes, Fees and Public Health New York Times]("http://nt1.ggpht.com/news/tbn/LdFlVebs5MpKIM/6.jpg")
Seattle Post IntelligencerAmerica's Health Care Priorities V: Taxes, Fees and Public HealthNew York TimesThe individual was first discouraged from obtaining individual health insurance in 1942 when congress made health premiums tax deductible to employers Managed-Care Stocks Face Fluid Summer, Given Overhaul TalkScott brings health care reform opposition to JacksonvilleAgreement Reportedly Near on Health Billall 3,367 news articles »
![ROUNDTABLE: A public health care option? Galesburg Register-Mail]("http://nt1.ggpht.com/news/tbn/scbz6rWR_B0LIM/6.jpg")
guardian.co.ukROUNDTABLE: A public health care option?Galesburg Register-MailIf insurance companies are unable to compete with a government sponsored health care plan, Americans will lose their choice in the matter. The Only Public Health Plan We NeedWho's Afraid of a 'Public Plan,' and Why?Obama Suggests Health Care Reform Will Mean Rationing for Some all 1,323 news articles »
![Unions' Health Benefits May Avoid Tax Under Proposal Bloomberg]("http://nt0.ggpht.com/news/tbn/5AWrqrcMgcJ54M/6.jpg")
ABC NewsUnions' Health Benefits May Avoid Tax Under ProposalBloombergBaucus, a Montana Democrat, is proposing to tax Americans whose health insurance is valued at a higher rate than what is offered to federal employees. Senators Worry That Health Overhaul Could Erode Employer Insurance Senate health-care bill coming into focusSenate trims health bill, but key decisions still aheadall 903 news articles »
![CIGNA enters the individual health insurance market in Connecticut Examiner.com]("http://nt2.ggpht.com/news/tbn/rj_pOpkEE5zNHM/6.jpg")
ABC NewsCIGNA enters the individual health insurance market in ConnecticutExaminer.comCIGNA Health Care has introduced new health insurance plans for individuals living in Connecticut. The individual plans will be offered to consumers Former Health Insurance Company Flack Tells AllThe Health Care Industry vs. Health ReformHealth Insurance Insider: 'They Dump the Sick'all 22 news articles »