Kathleen Sebelius announces new mental health parity requirements for health insurers

Washington Examiner ^ | 11-8-2013

[markomalley]

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Friday said that new requirements imposed on insurance companies by Obamacare will require those companies to treat mental illness and addiction that same as physical illness, creating "the largest behavioral health expansion in a generation."

[Secret Agent Man]

Some will always be happy.

But some of their strongest supporters are not going along with it after finding their plans dumped, going on the exchange and seeing the sticker shock and sucky coverage of what has now been dictated to them as to what narrow choices they have to pick from.

[Carry_Okie]

Mental health is more witchcraft than science.

It's worse than that. Since when did a shrink ever have an interest in "curing" the mentally ill?

[palmer]

Because our country just isn’t in debt enough.

The pills are almost as cheap as dirt but a lot worse for you in the long run. What psychological conditions require is decent therapy and sometimes a drug to get to the state where therapy works (where a person can function). You can bet your Obamacare voucher that there won't be any therapy, just pills.

[palmer]

Would this include the therapy for homosexuals that Governors Moonbeam and Krispy Kreme banned?

No, instead there will be mandatory treatment for homophobia.

[palmer]

place you in the proper facility for rehabilitation

With the right kinds of medication you will be a prisoner in your own home.

[tacticalogic]

You can bet your Obamacare voucher that there won't be any therapy, just pills.

And you can be they'll consider your 2A rights to be forfeit the moment they write that script.

[Gen.Blather]

“Since when did a shrink ever have an interest in “curing” the mentally ill? “

The shrink says, “I have great news. Your kleptomania is cured...but if I’m wrong I could use a refrigerator.”

[palmer]

Most of the friends I have who are on ‘mood elevators’ are Libs

That's what they are counting on. The drug-addled mind isn't about to think clearly about the future of the country. Instead they will pass out in front of the TV.

[palmer]

Drugs have improved things a lot since the 1970s, but many of the drugs by themselves are less than optimum (some of the uninstitutionalized psychotic killers were actually taking drugs) and there needs to be much more research in this area. Gene therapy may also be a possibility someday.

Chicken soup might be even better. But seriously your points are valid, but Obamacare will provide the cheapest and crappiest (in terms of side effects and risk) medications with minimal (expensive) psychotherapy. All the people I know who were cured of mental illness had minimal meds so they could function but top notch therapy.

[palmer]

More increased demand with a decreasing supply under Obamacare

Decreasing supply of quality care for sure. But an endless supply of cheap psychoactive medications that can be very deleterious and dangerous when unsupervised and used on a permanent basis. Newtown times 100.

[Stosh]

I find this development very depressing.

(Now how much money does that entitle me to?)

[palmer]

they'll consider your 2A rights to be forfeit the moment they write that script.

Maybe. They may want more Newtowns so they can take away everyone's guns.

[oxcart]

Addiction? Alcoholics Anonymous is free!

[BfloGuy]

Man, that p*sses me off.

Oh, boy -- me, too. Originally, disability was to apply ONLY if you couldn't work at all. Now, it's granted, all too often, if you can no longer do your preferred work.

The neighbor in question was a nurse's aide. Obviously, she can't run around a hospital all day anymore. She's too fat. But, dammit, she could sit her lard-ass in a chair and type.

Instead, she sits her lard-ass in a chair at home in front of the HDTV and orders QVC all the live-long day. And the really sad part is that she and her brother come from a good, hard-working family. Her Mom and Dad built a very, nice bowling alley, restaurant, and bar business in our little farm-town.

Their older brother is the most highly-decorated Viet Nam vet in the area and their other sister is a retired schoolteacher. So, it's not like they're welfare-trash. I don't get it. But enough of that.

Have a great evening.

[tacticalogic]

Maybe. They may want more Newtowns so they can take away everyone's guns.

With the right drugs, they can probably have both.

[RedMDer]

Freepers, your Contributions make every difference!
Please keep ‘em coming! Thank you all very much!

[relentlessly]

But, we all will still save $2,500 annually, right? And, be able to avoid ObamaCare by keeping our current insurance and doctors as well?

You know, I'll bet the ObamaCare insurance pool is full of some real healthy people, so far - that should lower the rates for years.

/sarc

Be warned: I hope that no one poops in the pool.

[thegrump]

they are doing their best to foment revolution here.

Exactly!

[DainBramage]

Mental health issue= no guns issue

[hinckley buzzard]

"Mental health parity" has been in the works for a long time. In some states it is already law. The long established facts are that timely and competent mental health treatment can save net expenditure of healthcare dollars generally. A psychologist costs a lot less than a cardiologist.

But like treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure, mental health treatment is easy to neglect or ignore. When it becomes an obvious necessity, it is going to be expensive.