The proposed legislation, General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6975, mandates a biennial study to assess payment parity for mental health services compared to other health care services under individual and group health insurance policies, as well as the HUSKY Health program. The study will be conducted by the Commissioner of Health Strategy in collaboration with the Insurance Commissioner and the Commissioner of Social Services. The focus will be on determining whether there is equitable payment for mental health services in relation to other health care services covered by the specified insurance policies and programs. The first report is due by January 1, 2026, and subsequent reports will follow every two years.
The bill introduces new legal language that establishes the requirement for this study and reporting process, specifically noted as Section 1 from passage New section. There are no deletions from current law mentioned in the text provided. The findings from the study will be reported to the relevant joint standing committees of the General Assembly, which oversee human services, insurance, public health, and state agency budgets.