wfn.org | Health and Social Issues to recommend full parity in benefits

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>]

Note #6586 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

11-June-2001
GA01029

Health and Social Issues to recommend full parity in benefits

by Nancy Rodman

LOUISVILLE, June 11 - The Assembly Committee on Health and Social Issues
will recommend to the 213th General Assembly that it advocate passage of
legislation requiring health insurance plans to provide mental health
benefits in full parity with medical and surgical benefits.

	Responding to Overture 01-16 from the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, the
committee will recommend that the Assembly direct the Office of the Stated
Clerk to advocate for passage of legislation in the 18 states lacking such
requirements, that health insurance plans provide full coverage for mental
health benefits, and that such coverage be in full parity with benefits for
other illnesses.  If approved by the Assembly, the measure would also direct
the Office of the Stated Clerk to advocate for passage of the federal Mental
Health Equitable Treatment Act (S.796) cosponsored by Senators Pete Domenici
(R-NM) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN.

	The committee will also recommend that the Board of Pensions of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) annually evaluate issues of parity between
coverage for mental health and medical and surgical benefits under plans
offered by the Board of Pensions, and that the Board include its evaluation
in its annual report to the General Assembly.

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