Rhode Island Senate Unanimously Passes Mental Health Parity Law
The Rhode Island Senate on June 5 passed a mental health parity bill that would require insurers to provide the same amount of coverage for mental illnesses as for physical illnesses, the Providence Journal reports. The bill, which passed on a 49-0 vote, would expand the definition of mental illness coverage to include inpatient care, community residential care and treatment for substance abuse. In addition, the bill would expand detoxification benefits, eliminate a cap on inpatient coverage and cover up to 30 mental health outpatient visits per year. State Sen. Rhoda Perry (D), who sponsored the bill, said, "This bill does much to destigmatize mental health and substance abuse. This measure catapults Rhode Island into a bellwether position in the fight to equalize mental health and substance abuse care with that of medical care as it relates to insurance coverage" A vote on the state House companion bill is expected this week (Fitzpatrick, Providence Journal, 6/6).
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