HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT COUNCIL Mandated Benefits [28 Pa.B. 3557] Section 9 of Act 34 of 1993 requires that the Health Care Cost Containment Council review existing or proposed mandated health benefits on request of the executive and legislative branches of government. The Council has been requested by Senator Edwin G. Holl, Chairperson of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, to review Senate Bill 887, Printers Number 958 (Uliana), the Mental Health Antidiscrimination Act, which would prohibit health insurance discrimination on the basis of mental illness, requiring that every health insurance policy shall provide medical coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. The Council has also been requested by Representative Thomas P. Gannon, Chairperson of the House Judiciary Committee, to review House Bill 1798, Printer's Number 3378, and by Representative Nicholas A. Micozzie, Chairperson of the House Insurance Committee, to review House Bill 2544, Printer's Number 3459. House Bill 1798 and House Bill 2544 prohibit health insurance discrimination on the basis of mental illness and require health plans to cover mental health services without any arbitrary treatment limits or financial requirements not imposed on coverage of other services. The Council is conducting one general review of mandated mental health benefits, examining the provisions of each bill.
Initial notification of request for information and documentation for Senate Bill 887 was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on May 2, 1998, with documentation due to the Council by July 2, 1998. Initial notification of request for information and documentation for House Bill 1798 and House Bill 2544 was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on May 9, 1998, with documentation due to the Council by July 9, 1998.
Following is a list of the documentation received. This information is available for public review and comment at the Council offices during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) until August 14, 1998. Any additional comments on this information must also be received by that date. Council offices are located at: 225 Market Street, Suite 400, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Send comments (six copies) to Flossie Wolf at this address.
Mental Health Parity Submissions (SB 887, HB 1798, and HB 2544) 1. Representative Thomas P. Gannon (Chairperson, House Judiciary Committee)
* Statement supporting House Bill 1798
* Attachments addressing Section 9 requirements.
2. Pennsylvania Community Providers Association (C. Lu Conser, MPH, Director of Government Relations)
* Letter supporting House Bill 1798 and endorsing the list of materials submitted by Representative Gannon's office.
3. Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society (Gwen Yackee Lehman, Executive Director)
* Letter supporting House Bill 1798 and endorsing the list of materials submitted by Representative Gannon's office.
4. Mental Health Associations in Pennsylvania (Sue Walther, Policy Coordinator)
* Letter supporting House Bill 1798 and endorsing the list of materials submitted by Representative Gannon's office.
5. Mental Health Association in Lancaster County (Mary Steffy, Executive Director)
* Letter supporting House Bill 1798 and endorsing the list of materials submitted by Representative Gannon's office.
6. Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Pennsylvania (Mary Ellen Rehrman, Director of Policy)
* Letter supporting House Bill 1798 and endorsing the list of materials submitted by Representative Gannon's office.
7. George Herr-Riser, MS (Psychotherapist)
* Letter supporting House Bill 1798 and endorsing the list of materials submitted by Representative Gannon's office.
8. Pennsylvania Psychological Association (Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., Professional Affairs Officer)
* Statement in support of SB 887, HB 1798, and HB 2544 and addressing the social and financial impact of the benefit.
* Endorsement of the list of materials submitted by Representative Gannon's office.
* Attachments related to the social impact of the proposed benefit.
9. Community Behavioral HealthCare Network of Pennsylvania (Joan Erney, J.D., CEO)
* Letter supporting House Bill 1798 and endorsing the list of materials submitted by Representative Gannon's office.
10. The Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, Inc. (John R. Doubman, President)
* Statement in opposition to SB 887 and addressing Section 9 requirements.
* Statement in opposition to HB 1798 and HB 2544 and addressing Section 9 requirements.
* Attachments addressing the cost, effectiveness and the social impact of the benefit.
11. Independence Blue Cross (Mary Ellen McMillen, Vice President, Legislative Policy)
* Statement in opposition to SB 887, HB 1798, HB 2544 and addressing the costs, effectiveness and social impact of the benefit.
* Attachments addressing the financial impact of mandated benefits.
12. Managed Care Association of Pennsylvania (Kimberly J. Kockler, Executive Director)
* Statement in opposition to SB 887, HB 1798, HB 2544 and addressing Section 9 requirements.
* Attachments addressing the costs, effectiveness and social impact of the benefit.
13. Pennsylvania Business Roundtable (Michael T. McCarthy, President)
* Statement in opposition to SB 887, HB 1798, HB 2544 and addressing the impact of the benefit.
14. AFLAC--American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Richard J. Gmerek and Elvira O. Guida of Maley, Williamson, Hayden & Gmerek )
* Statement relating to SB 887, HB 1798, HB 2544 requesting exemption from supplemental policies.
15. Highmark (Bruce Hironimus, Vice President, Government Affairs)
* Statement in opposition to SB 887, HB 1798, HB 2544 and addressing Section 9 requirements.
* Attachments addressing the costs, effectiveness and social impact of the benefit.
The Council also received 250 letters from Pennsylvania residents, psychological centers and others in support of HB 1798. Some submitted brief cost benefit and/or other information supporting HB 1798.
The Council also received a letter from Rohm and Haas Company indicating opposition to health care mandates in general, mentioning SB887, HB 1798 and HB 2544.
MARC P. VOLAVKA,
Executive Director[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-1200. Filed for public inspection July 24, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]
