Topic 3 DQ 1

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Grand Canyon University *

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SWK-520

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Political Science

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Jan 9, 2024

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The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), passed by the United States (U.S.) Congress in 2008, seeks to provide equal treatment by requiring that mental health disorders (MHD’s) and substance abuse disorders (SAD’s) are covered by insurance companies at the same level as other medical issues (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). The passing of the MHPAEA ensures improved access to treatment by equalizing coverage and seeks to reduce the stigma associated with MHD’s and SAD’s by recognizing the importance of this disorders on par with other medical disorders (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). However, implementing the MHPAEA has been met with significant challenges. Some insurance companies have been reluctant to comply and have found loopholes to circumvent the act. Meanwhile, the increase in the cost for treatment of MHD’s and SAD’s has caused costs to rise for other policy holders (Herrera, Hargraves, & Stanton, 2013). Additionally, the way the MHPAEA is written, not all insurance plans are included, and enforcement has been challenging. Politically, mental health advocates have been critical in passing the MHPAEA and raising awareness of MHD’s and SAD’s (Barry, Huskamp, & Goldman, 2010). This has caused a cultural shift and assisted in changing attitudes toward and raised awareness of MHD’s and SAD’s. Economically, it has been proven that the cost of leaving MHD’s and SAD’s untreated is greater than the cost of treatment (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1990 (U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, n.d.). This landmark legislation prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and ensures they have equal opportunity and access to employment, public services, public accommodations, services provided by private entities, telecommunications, and other rights as individuals without disabilities (U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, n.d.). The ADA ensured access and inclusion for those with disabilities, providing them with a legal framework to seek redress of grievances when that access or inclusion was curtailed. Drug treatment seeks to help individuals suffering from SAD’s by providing medical, psychological and social support to achieve and maintain recovery. Treatment requires a holistic approach to treat the underlying causes of addiction. The goal is to help those suffering from SAD’s to find a new way to live without the use of mind-altering substances. Drug enforcement, on the other hand, seeks to control and regulate the production and distribution of illegal substances. From a criminal justice perspective, the consequences for SAD must be punitive, so as to deter substance use and abuse. However, SAD is a recognized medical disease. Punishing an addict for their addiction is counterproductive. Treatment must focus on the underlying psychological and social issues in order to cause lasting behavioral change. References Barry, C. L., Huskamp, H. A., & Goldman, H. H. (2010). A Political History of Federal Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Parity. The Milbank quarterly, 88 (3), 404-433. doi:10.1111/j.1468- 0009.2010.00605.x Herrera, C.-N., Hargraves, J., & Stanton, G. (2013). The Impact of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Washington, D.C.: Health Care Cost Institute,. Retrieved from chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://www.healthcostinstitute.or g/images/easyblog_articles/118/The-impact-of-the-Mental-Health-Parity-and-Addiction- Equity.pdf
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act . Retrieved from HHS.gov: https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/document/mental-health-parity- and-addiction-equity-act U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. (n.d.). Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, As Amended . Retrieved from ADA.gov: https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/
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