MENTAL HEALTH PARITY

June 1999
		Should health insurance agencies have to cover treatment for mental health? The president of the Health Insurance Association of America and the executive director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill take your questions.

June 7, 1999: Mental Health Conference. Sept. 8, 1998: Understanding schizophrenia. July 27, 1998: A schizophrenic man opens fire at the Capitol. Dec 23, 1997: Many homeless people suffer from mental illness May 9, 1996: Health insurance for mental health Complete NewsHour coverage of health       The White House Conference on Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Health Insurance Association of America	President Clinton recently announced that federal health plans must give equal coverage for mental illness. Health insurance agencies have argued that such coverage would drive up costs, making affordable premiums a thing of the past. Legislation proposed by Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN) has also brought the "parity" issue to the forefront. The Domenici-Wellstone measure would provide coverage for the most severe, biologically-based mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, obsessive-compulsive and panic disorders. Should all health insurance agencies be required to cover mental illness? How will the new coverage for federal workers affect other health insurance plans? How would the increased coverage change benefits or premiums in private plans? Chip Kahn, the president of the Health Insurance Association of America and Laurie Flynn, the executive director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill respond to your questions. Questions asked in this forum: 1. What is included in the Domenici-Wellstone measure? 2. How will private policies respond to federal changes? 3. Does parity really drive up costs? 4. Is expense the deciding factor? 5. How much coverage do people have now?