Oregon’s Mental Health Care Act

This segment of The Law and You features personal injury trial lawyer Lara Johnson discussing the new Oregon law that requires health insurance companies to provide stronger mental health coverage in their group plans.

TRANSCRIPT

JOEL: This is Joel Block for The Law and You with Eugene attorney Lara Johnson. Lara, sometimes insurance plans exclude or limit treatment for mental health care. Is there anything being done to correct this?

LARA: Joel, Oregon has done something about this by passing a law which requires health insurers to provide the same level of coverage for treatment of mental illness as they offer for physical illness. The bill, which is called the Mental Health Parity Act, became effective as of January 1st. It could affect as many as 1.3 million Oregon residents covered by group health plans. This law recognizes that the mind and body are medically inseparable, and equally vital to health. When individuals with mental illness or chemical dependency receive adequate treatment, symptoms are reduced and the person-and society-benefit.

JOEL: Thanks, Lara. If you have a legal question or for a copy of How to the Law Works, visit CorsonJohnsonLaw.com. The Law and You is a public service and does not replace the advice of an attorney.

The Corson & Johnson Law Firm, an Oregon personal injury trial law firm, produced and distributed The Law and You as a public service to help families and consumers answer questions about our legal system and how it works for them. The Law and You spots were aired on KKNU, KMGE, KEUG, and KODZ.  Please note that laws may have changed since a public service spot was aired.  If you have suggestions for legal questions or topics you would like addressed, please contact us.