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Subcommittee advances bill requiring publication of mental-health parity information from managed-care plans
Summary
House Bill 2,049, requested by the Healthy Minds Coalition, would require the Health Care Authority and managed-care organizations to publish information about mental-health parity in their plans; the committee passed the bill unanimously after sponsors said the data already are collected and the change adds a publication requirement.
Representative Stinson (presenting as chairman for the sponsor) introduced House Bill 2,049, a request from the Healthy Minds Coalition that would require the Health Care Authority and managed-care organizations to publish information about mental-health parity in their plans. The sponsor told the committee the data are already collected by the managed-care entities and this bill would add a publication requirement.
Members asked clarifying questions about what “parity” would look like in practice. One member asked whether parity required equal dollars spent on mental and physical health; sponsors and other lawmakers responded that parity refers to comparable coverage and administration rather than dollar-for-dollar equivalence in all cases. The discussion included an example about inpatient utilization management practices and parity in review timing for discharge decisions.
A motion and second were recorded, staff opened the vote, and the committee voted 6 aye, 0 nay to pass HB 2,049. Committee members recommended the sponsor proceed with follow-up materials to the next committee.
Ending: HB 2,049 passed the subcommittee unanimously; sponsors will provide follow-up materials as the bill moves to the next stage.
