Shern David L, Beronio Kirsten K, Harbin Henry T
Mental Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association) in Alexandria, Virginia, USA.
Health Aff (Millwood). 2009 May-Jun;28(3):660-2. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.3.660.
A new law prohibiting unequal treatment limits and financial requirements for mental health and substance abuse (MH/SA) benefits establishes critical protections for 113 million Americans. The new parity law doesn't mandate coverage for MH/SA treatment and anticipates management of the benefit. Given these features, clear regulations mapping the intent of the law are critical. Education regarding the costs of untreated or ineffectively treated MH/SA conditions is needed to encourage comprehensive coverage, because academic performance and worker productivity are at stake. As health care reform proceeds, we must use the new law to reinforce the centrality of mental health to overall health.
一项禁止心理健康和药物滥用（MH/SA）福利方面不平等对待限制及财务要求的新法律为1.13亿美国人建立了关键保护措施。新的平等法并未强制要求涵盖MH/SA治疗，且预计会对福利进行管理。鉴于这些特点，明确映射该法律意图的规定至关重要。需要开展关于未治疗或治疗无效的MH/SA病症成本的教育，以鼓励全面覆盖，因为学业成绩和员工生产力都受到影响。随着医疗保健改革的推进，我们必须利用新法律来强化心理健康对整体健康的核心地位。
