Summary/Abstract

ONDCP issues email announcing that the final rules implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) have been released.

Content

Hello -

This morning, I joined HHS Secretary Sebelius and Department of Labor Secretary Perez for an announcement that changes the face of substance use disorder treatment in America.

Today, we released final rules implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). This legislation ensures that treatment for mental health and substance use disorders is covered by insurers at parity with medical coverage for other chronic diseases, like cancer or diabetes. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, these rules expand coverage of mental health and substance use disorder services to 62 million Americans.

Decades of research have shown that substance use disorders are chronic, progressive diseases of the brain—and with these new rules, insurers will finally be required to cover addiction treatment as they would cover treatment for any other disease.

Access to drug and mental health treatment in America shouldn’t be a privilege afforded to a few who can afford it. It should be a right for everyone who needs it. This is what drug policy reform looks like in the 21st century and we are proud to be taking the lead to help end discrimination against the millions of Americans who suffer from a substance use or mental health disorder.

Will you take a minute to share this good news? Please re-tweet and share on Facebook. If you think this kind of news matters, we invite you to forward this email to a friend who might feel the same way.

Thank you,

Gil