The Mental Health Parity Act of 1998 and the Affordable Care Act (2010) have endeavored to close the gaps in coverage between mental health and physical health. How have they specifically done so? Have they been successful in these efforts? Explain.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Initial reactions to the Mental Health Parity Act, which took effect in 1998, were positive. Under this act, employers who provided mental health benefits to their employees could not place stricter caps on those benefits than they placed on medical and surgical benefits. The National Association of Social Workers celebrated passage of the act and called it a "first step" toward mental health parity. However, it eventually became apparent that this act would not have the desired effect. It did not require employers to provide mental health benefits, and it did not keep insurance plans from imposing other restrictions on mental health benefits. In 2008, the earlier act was replaced by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which fixed the gaps and added insurance coverage for addiction treatment as well. Up for debate is whether this act truly ensures parity now or still contains flaws. Since passage of the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid has become the major source of funding for mental health in the United States. The ACA emphasizes several emerging models for mental health care: integrated care, medical homes, and accountable care organizations.