1996 Mental Health Parity Act Expires; Full Parity Legislation on Hold

October 8, 2001

1996 Mental Health Parity Act Expires; Full Parity Legislation on Hold

September 30, 2001 was the day the 1996 Mental Health Parity act expired. Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN) had hoped to push the expanded Parity legislation through prior to October 1. But, due to the national tragedy of September 11, progress on the issue slowed. Now, September 30 has come and Congress has failed to pass a new Parity Bill. The 1996 legislation has expired, and the expanded bill, Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act (S 543) is on . . .