ACA Repeal Could Limit Access to Mental Health and Addiction Treatment
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    How Repealing and Replacing the ACA Could Reduce Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Parity Protections

    Brief Jun-05-2017 | Wishner J | 1-min read
    1. Insights
    2. Our Research
    3. How Repealing and Replacing the ACA Could Reduce Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Parity Protections
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    At 5am, Tina, a recovering drug user, waits for her turn to enter the Brandywine treatment program.  Paths to Recovery

     

    Analysis finds the American Health Care Act (AHCA) could limit access to mental health treatment.

     

    The Issue

    Mental health and substance use coverage could roll back to pre-Affordable Care Act (ACA) levels if the AHCA becomes law.

     

    Key Findings


     

    • Prior to 2008, nearly two-thirds of people with employer-sponsored insurance had special limits on inpatient behavioral health coverage, and three-quarters had limits on outpatient behavioral health coverage.
    • The ACA provides coverage and parity protections for mental health and substance use disorder treatment to millions of Americans, many of whom were previously uninsured.

     

    Conclusion

    The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 required mental health and substance use disorder benefits parity in large, employer-sponsored plans. The ACA extended those parity protections to certain Medicaid plans and individual and small group health plans.

    About the Urban Institute

    The nonprofit Urban Institute is dedicated to elevating the debate on social and economic policy. For nearly five decades, Urban scholars have conducted research and offered evidence-based solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities across a rapidly urbanizing world. Their objective research helps expand opportunities for all, reduce hardship among the most vulnerable, and strengthen the effectiveness of the public sector. Visit the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center for more information specific to its staff and its recent research.

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