The article discusses mental health parity in health insurance coverage, which means that mental health and substance use disorder benefits should be covered by health insurance policies without discrimination compared to medical and surgical benefits. The Mental Health Parity Act of 1996, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, and the Affordable Care Act have played crucial roles in promoting mental health parity at the federal level. Mental health parity ensures equity in insurance coverage, expanded access to services, and fair cost-sharing. However, more guidance and enforcement are needed to fully implement and ensure the effectiveness of these laws in providing equitable coverage for mental health and substance use disorders.
