It discourages early intervention, frequently resulting in higher utilization of the more costly inpatient benefit, thus perpetuating the myth that mental disorders are too expensive to treat. The high costs to society of untreated and undertreated mental illnesses are well-documented. Insurers' claim that parity for mental disorders would be too costly is seriously weakened as states with parity laws prove equitable coverage to be affordable with minimal costs, on the order of pennies per enrollee per day. Mental illness diagnoses are objective and consistent. The treatment of mental disorders can be managed to ensure appropriateness and effectiveness.
Costs are definable and reasonable.
I urge the Committees to support the Mental Health Parity Act as good public policy and as an emphatic statement against the continued and unjustified insurance discrimination against Commonwealth citizens with mental illnesses. Thank you, Chairman Cornell and Chairman Micozzie.