NYAPRS Note: Eighteen Democrats say the White House should do more to make sure mental health parity laws are being enforced and people get equal access to treatment. In a letter to White House Domestic Policy Council Director Cecilia Muñoz that was made public today, the lawmakers say the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Taskforce should consider the following when developing its recommendations:
- random audits and public disclosure of investigations into health plans’ parity violations;
- collection of information on rates and reasons for claims denials; and
- requirements on health plans to provide information to providers and consumers about treatment limitations for behavioral health services.
The task force is required to present a report to the president by Oct. 31.
The letter below is signed by Senators Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Baldwin, Richard Blumenthal, Sherrod Brown, Benjamin Cardin, Joe Donnelly, Richard Durbin, Al Franken, Kristen Gillibrand, Heid Heitkamp, Angus King, Amy Klobucher, Edward, Patty Murray, Jack Reed, Bernie Sanders and Sheldon Whitehouse.
