Mental Health America Applauds Release of Final Rules for Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Statement of David Shern, Ph.D., interim president and CEO of Mental Health America.

Mental Health America applauds the release of the final rules for the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.

The parity law, which also applies to policies sold through the exchanges under the Affordable Care Act, is a milestone that recognizes how integral mental health is to overall health and ends discrimination toward people with mental health and substance use conditions.

The release of this final rules will help to guarantee that the promise of the law is fully realized and we expand access to care for millions of Americans.

After spending many years advocating in support of the law, its inclusion in the ACA and release of the final rules, we will continue our work to ensure that we carry out the intent of the law to prohibit discriminatory limits on mental health and substance use services.

Mental Health America (www.mentalhealthamerica.net), founded in 1909, is the nation's leading community-based network dedicated to helping all Americans achieve wellness by living mentally healthier lives. With our 240 affiliates across the country, we touch the lives of millions—Advocating for changes in mental health and wellness policy; Educating the public & providing critical information; and Delivering urgently needed mental health and wellness Programs and Services.

SOURCE Mental Health America