Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has put her signature on a piece of bipartisan legislation that mandates insurance companies in Michigan to offer mental health and substance abuse disorder treatments on equal footing with traditional medical coverage. Known as Senate Bill 27, this legislation effectively closes the gap, ensuring that citizens have access to the necessary treatments without being hindered by insurance loopholes.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), makes it illegal for insurance providers to impose higher deductibles, co-payments, or out-of-pocket maximums for mental health care than for other medical services. This is a crucial step aimed at finally beginning to provide balanced coverage for mental health and substance use disorders, mirroring the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
"Every person in Michigan deserves access to mental and physical healthcare," Gov. Whitmer stated, per the Office of the Governor. The new law is part of Whitmer's wider efforts to recruit and retain mental health workers and expand mental health services within the state.
Mental health advocates are signaling outright support for the recently signed bill, while the legislation also gathers accolades from industry heavyweights like the Michigan Association of Health Plans. However, not all are entirely on board; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Michigan Association of Health Plans have testified against a similar House bill, reported the Detroit Free Press. The House Bill 4707, if passed, would compel companies to cover medically necessary mental health treatments.
Gov. Whitmer's history with mental health care includes allocating a $328 million budget for mental health and school safety, which emphasizes the importance she attaches to mental healthcare and accessibility thereof for Michiganders. "Let’s keep working together to help every Michigander get the help they need to get better," Gov. Whitmer expressed, as per the Office of the Governor, outlining her ongoing commitment to mental health initiatives.
