Behavioral health issue brief: minimum mandated benefits and mandated offerings for mental health and substance abuse: year end report-2002.

Benefit mandates require that some service be provided. Mental health and substance abuse treatment mandates are two of the many types of benefit mandates in state law. The debate over mandated benefit legislation typically centers around consumer protection versus cost. Proponents contend that mandates are necessary to ensure adequate health care for consumers. However, opponents generally argue that mandates drive up premiums, which contributes to the growing number of uninsured.