Rep. Porter of California aims to advance mental health care coverage with a new bill in Congress.
House Rep. Katie Porter Advocates for Access to Mental Health Treatment
In a passionate roundtable discussion on August 31, House Rep. Katie Porter criticized insurance companies for their role in hindering patient access to treatment. The two-hour event, held at Be Well OC’s Orange campus, brought together healthcare experts and community leaders to address the challenges faced by patients.
Ms. Porter, representing District 47 which includes Huntington Beach and Irvine, emphasized the importance of the federal Mental Health Parity Act of 2006. This mental health care coverage with a new bill in Congress.”>act requires private medical insurance companies to cover mental and addiction treatments that they may otherwise deny. It encompasses therapy, follow-up care, and prescription medication.
During the roundtable, Ms. Porter urged attendees to spread awareness about the act’s resource hotline. This hotline allows patients to call the Department of Labor for assistance in challenging insurance companies that deny their claims.
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Ms. Porter’s efforts align with President Biden’s executive order on July 25, which strengthens the Mental Health Parity Act. The order requires health plans to make changes if they provide inadequate access to mental health care. It also addresses loopholes that limit access to services and increase costs.
Building on the roundtable’s input, Ms. Porter is working on the Behavioral Health Coverage Transparency Act. This bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, aims to hold insurance companies accountable by requiring them to pay more claims for various treatments, not just mental health and addiction. The bill is currently in the public comment phase, with lawmakers reviewing public input and concerns until early October.
“The fight is going to continue… we have to hold these insurance companies accountable,” Ms. Porter declared during the meeting. She emphasized that health plans and insurance companies must fulfill their obligations. When people pay for coverage and don’t receive it, it’s nothing short of theft.
Participants in the roundtable also expressed frustration with insurance companies creating barriers to affordable healthcare. Despite paying for private insurance, patients often face inadequate access to necessary care.
Negar Shekarabi, a psychologist from the University of California–Irvine, shared her experience advocating for staff members when insurance companies deny claims or make it difficult to access care. Ms. Porter echoed the sentiment, highlighting the irony of employers hiring advocates to fight insurance companies that refuse to cover treatments already paid for.
According to Ms. Shekarabi, even with “great” insurance, school staff frequently struggle to receive adequate mental health care. She often intervenes on their behalf to ensure they receive the necessary treatments.
Department of Labor Secretary Lisa Gomez joined the discussion, calling out insurance companies like Magellan for creating unnecessary roadblocks to mental health care, such as therapy.
“Access to mental health care and treatment should not be more restrictive,” Ms. Gomez emphasized.
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