The Maryland Parity Project, Maryland Psychiatric Society, Maryland Psychological Association, Mental Health Association of Maryland, NAMI Maryland, and the University of Maryland School of Law Drug Policy Clinic recently met with staff of the entire Maryland Congressional Delegation and Congressman Chris Van Hollen, who found the time to spend 30 minutes with us despite his busy schedule, to press for final parity regulations governing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA).
What We Asked:
The Interim Final Parity Regulations which went into effect July of 2010 left many critical questions unanswered and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has yet to issue final regulations to clarify these and ensure the full intent of the parity law is realized. The National Parity Implementation Coalition has identified four critical issues to ensure parity is enforced. For more information see the Implementation of Federal Parity in Maryland briefing memo used in our meetings.
The Follow-up:
Several staffers promised to contact DHHS staff to push for promulgation of the final regulations. All promised to stay engaged, and MPP will keep them informed of developments until the final regulations are issued.
What You Can Do:
Call or write your legislator to ask that he or she contact DHHS to push for final regulations for the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Be sure to include a personal story about why this is important to you or and/or share any difficulties you are having in getting mental health or addiction treatment for yourself or a client. All of the legislative staff asked for real life examples to help them understand why these final regulations are so important. Click here for a Sample Letter to Legislators you can personalize.
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