WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday announced new rules meant to push insurance companies to increase their coverage of mental health treatments.
The new regulations, which still need to go through a public comment period, would require insurers to study whether their customers have equal access to medical and mental health benefits and to take remedial action, if necessary. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires that insurers provide the same level of coverage for both mental and physical health care — though the administration and advocates argue insurers' policies restrict patient access.
The rules, if finalized, would force insurers to study patient outcomes to ensure the benefits are administered equally, taking into account their provider network and reimbursement rates and whether prior authorization is required for care.
“Too many Americans still struggle to find and afford the care they need,” the White House said in an emailed statement.
The Democratic president's administration said it's aiming to address issues such as insurers enabling nutritional counseling for diabetes patients but making it more difficult for those with eating disorders.
By measuring outcomes, the White House said, it will force insurers to make modifications to come into compliance with the law.
States and Native American tribes will have greater authority to block energy projects such as natural gas pipelines that could pollute rivers and streams under a final rule issued Thursday by the Biden administration.
A federal judge has declared the DACA immigration program illegal but will allow the policy to continue for existing recipients.
A judge in former President Donald Trump's Georgia election case rejected the prosecution's request to try all of the co-defendants together.
Florida Gov. and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said he does not support criminal penalties for women who get abortions.
Hunter Biden has sued a former Trump White House aide over his alleged role in publishing emails and personal photos online.
A federal judge has declared the DACA immigration program illegal but will allow the policy to continue for existing recipients.
A federal judge has declared illegal a revised version of a federal policy that prevents the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola’s husband has died in an airplane crash, her office said in a statement Wednesday.
A request by Mark Meadows for an emergency stay on a ruling that sent his Georgia election interference case back to state court has been denied.
Top tech leaders are meeting with Senators on Capitol Hill Wednesday about artificial intelligence.
