NYAPRS Note: Thanks to a strong advocacy push by more than two dozen statewide organizations and 5 national groups representing a broad array of consumer and provider advocacy groups (see below), the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Report Act (A.3694-C) was enacted into law by Governor Cuomo on December 21, 2018 as Chapter 455 of the Laws of 2018.
Great thanks are due to our legislative mental health committee chairs Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Senator Rob Ortt, who sponsored and championed the measure through Legislature, and to Governor Cuomo for his enactment of the law and his continued leadership and efforts to enhance compliance with the federal and State’s MH/SUD parity laws. Here are more details
The enactment of the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Report Act is huge victory for NYAPRS and the broader MH/SUD community as it will compel insurers, health plans, and behavioral health management companies to submit key data and information to the Department of Financial Services for analysis and evaluation of compliance with the federal and State’s MH/SUD parity laws culminating in the publication of a report on the Department’s website. This measure will provide much needed accountability and transparency.
Chapter 455 puts New York on a path to achieving full compliance and transparency with the parity laws, which are critical components in maintaining and enhancing access to care for those with mental health and substance use related conditions.
Enactment of this law at this particular time is especially symbolic as New York marks the twelfth anniversary of the enactment of Timothy’s Law, New York’s parity law, which Governor Cuomo recognized in his approval message, “Ensuring New Yorkers have access to care and treatment for mental illness and substance abuse disorders is critical and is the reason New York enacted one of the strongest mental health parity laws in the nation (Timothy’s Law) in 2006. New York reaffirmed its commitment to mental health parity when Timothy’s Law was made permanent in 2009.”
Chapter 455 is a shared success and would not been possible without the strong grassroots support mobilized by the partnering organizations generating an enormous volume of letters, calls and tweets in support. We extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to all of the partnering organizations.
Please spend a minute to give thanks to the Governor, Senator Ortt and Assembly member Gunther in the following ways:
-
Thank you @NYGovCuomo for enacting Chapter 455 of the Laws of 2018, the MH/SUD Parity Reporting Act! #ParityComplianceReporting #TimothysLaw
-
Thank you @SenatorOrtt for your sponsorship and leadership on Chapter 455 of the Laws of 2018, the MH/SUD Parity Reporting Act! #ParityComplianceReporting #TimothysLaw
-
Thank you @AileenMGunther for your sponsorship and leadership on Chapter 455 of the Laws of 2018, the MH/SUD Parity Reporting Act! #ParityComplianceReporting #TimothysLaw
TEMPLATES for THANK YOU LETTERS
Send via: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form
Dear Governor Cuomo,
I am writing to you today to thank you for enacting the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (MH/SUD) Parity Report Act (S.1156-C/A.3694-C) into law, Chapter 455 of the Laws of 2018, a measure that will provide much needed disclosure and transparency on the compliance of insurers and health plans with federal and the State’s MH/SUD parity laws.
Your enactment of the MH & SUD Parity Report Act during the twelfth anniversary of the signing of Timothy’s Law, New York’s parity law, (December 22, 2006), is especially meaningful as it sets New York on a path to achieving full implementation and compliance with the parity laws, which are critical components in maintaining and enhancing access to care for those with mental health and substance use related conditions.
Once again thank you for enacting the MH & SUD Parity Report Act and for your continued leadership and efforts to expand access to care and enhance compliance with the parity laws.
Sincerely
Send via: GuntheA@nyassembly.gov
Dear Assemblymember Gunther,
I am writing to you today to thank you for your sponsorship the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (MH/SUD) Parity Report Act (S.1156-C/A.3694-C) into law, Chapter 455 of the Laws of 2018, a measure that will provide much needed disclosure and transparency on the compliance of insurers and health plans with federal and the State’s MH/SUD parity laws.
The enactment of the MH & SUD Parity Report Act during the twelfth anniversary of the signing of Timothy’s Law, New York’s parity law, (December 22, 2006), is especially meaningful as it sets New York on a path to achieving full implementation and compliance with the parity laws, which are critical components in maintaining and enhancing access to care for those with mental health and substance use related conditions.
Once again thank you for championing the MH & SUD Parity Report Act and for your continued leadership and efforts to expand access to care and enhance compliance with the parity laws.
Sincerely
Send via: Ortt@nysenate.gov
Dear Senator Ortt,
I am writing to you today to thank you for your sponsorship of the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (MH/SUD) Parity Report Act (S.1156-C/A.3694-C) into law, Chapter 455 of the Laws of 2018, a measure that will provide much needed disclosure and transparency on the compliance of insurers and health plans with federal and the State’s MH/SUD parity laws.
The enactment of the MH & SUD Parity Report Act during the twelfth anniversary of the signing of Timothy’s Law, New York’s parity law, (December 22, 2006), is especially meaningful as it sets New York on a path to achieving full implementation and compliance with the parity laws, which are critical components in maintaining and enhancing access to care for those with mental health and substance use related conditions.
Once again thank you for championing the MH & SUD Parity Report Act and for your continued leadership and efforts to expand access to care and enhance compliance with the parity laws.
Sincerely