Mental health is a vital component of overall well-being, yet millions of Americans struggle with mental health conditions that affect their daily lives. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year and one in six youth aged 6-17 experiences a mental health disorder each year. Moreover, mental health disparities persist among racial and ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities, who often face higher rates of mental health challenges and lower access to quality care.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis in our country, as many people have experienced increased stress, anxiety, depression, isolation, and trauma due to the loss of loved ones, economic hardship, and social disruption. A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 41% of U.S. adults reported symptoms of at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition in the past month, including 31% who reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, 13% who reported having started or increased substance use, and 11% who reported having serious thoughts of suicide.
To address this urgent public health challenge, the Biden-Harris administration has taken several steps to expand and improve mental health care for all Americans. As part of the American Rescue Plan, the administration has invested $4 billion in mental health and substance use services, including $3 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support community-based prevention, treatment, and recovery programs, and $1 billion for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to enhance behavioral health workforce training and integration. Additionally, the administration has extended the special enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) until August 15, 2021, giving more people the opportunity to enroll in health plans that cover mental health and substance use disorder benefits.
Building on these efforts, the administration has recently proposed a new rule that would strengthen the enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), a landmark law that requires most health plans to cover mental health and substance use disorder services at the same level as medical and surgical services. The proposed rule would clarify and simplify the process for determining whether a health plan complies with the MHPAEA, making it easier for regulators to identify and correct violations. The rule would also enhance transparency and accountability by requiring health plans to publicly disclose information about their compliance with the MHPAEA, such as how they determine which benefits are subject to parity requirements, how they apply non-quantitative treatment limitations (such as prior authorization or network adequacy), and how they conduct analyses to demonstrate parity compliance.
The proposed rule is a significant step forward in ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable and quality mental health care, regardless of their insurance status or background. By breaking down barriers to care and reducing stigma and discrimination, the administration is committed to advancing mental health equity and promoting the well-being of individuals, families, and communities across the nation.
