The Mental Health Parity Act of 2007: An Analysis of the Proposed Changes presents a policy analysis of the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007. It focuses mainly on the impact of the new legislation in comparison to the existing state parity laws. 54 million Americans are impacted by mental health issues each year costing the United States nearly $100 billion dollars annually (Marth, 2009). In relation to mental health coverage prior to the new legislations, individuals did not receive coverage similar to physical and medical/surgical treatments (Marth, 2009). As a result of inadequate treatment, this particular population can experience unhealthy lifestyles and habits. The cost of mental health services and treatment can be extremely expensive
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When it comes to mental health, I can make a personal connection because of my older sibling’s daily struggle with his current mental illness. Within my discipline and course, this topic intertwines with psychology, health care, and political relations. This topic is connected to psychology because mental health is a psychological disorder that is affiliated with biological mechanisms and other factors. Health Care related because it is the process of improving one’s health with the use of diagnosis, treatment, and preventive techniques. Nevertheless, political relations and politics play a role in new laws and legislations that are …show more content…
The first category is “parity” as stated in the article they “require insurers to provide the same level of benefits for mental illness, serious mental illness or substance abuse as for other physical disorders and diseases. These benefits include visit limit, deductibles, copayments, and annual limits” (Marth, 2009). States that comply with this category of parity are considered as ‘Full parity” states; during the year of 2007, there were 26 states that were identified to be in this category (Marth, 2009). The second category is minimum mandated benefit laws this requires states to provide some level of coverage for mental illness, serious mental illness, and substance abuse. States that comply with this specific category are not considered as full parity because of the level of benefits disparity between mental and physical illnesses. Nevertheless, the third category, mandated offering laws requires no mandate of equal benefits. The states that fall under this law of parity will offer consumers the option to buy mental health coverage for an additional price (Marth,
When it comes to mental health, I can make a personal connection because of my older sibling’s daily struggle with his current mental illness. Within my discipline and course, this topic intertwines with psychology, health care, and political relations. This topic is connected to psychology because mental health is a psychological disorder that is affiliated with biological mechanisms and other factors. Health Care related because it is the process of improving one’s health with the use of diagnosis, treatment, and preventive techniques. Nevertheless, political relations and politics play a role in new laws and legislations that are …show more content…
The first category is “parity” as stated in the article they “require insurers to provide the same level of benefits for mental illness, serious mental illness or substance abuse as for other physical disorders and diseases. These benefits include visit limit, deductibles, copayments, and annual limits” (Marth, 2009). States that comply with this category of parity are considered as ‘Full parity” states; during the year of 2007, there were 26 states that were identified to be in this category (Marth, 2009). The second category is minimum mandated benefit laws this requires states to provide some level of coverage for mental illness, serious mental illness, and substance abuse. States that comply with this specific category are not considered as full parity because of the level of benefits disparity between mental and physical illnesses. Nevertheless, the third category, mandated offering laws requires no mandate of equal benefits. The states that fall under this law of parity will offer consumers the option to buy mental health coverage for an additional price (Marth,