Resolve, Directing Updated Review and Evaluation of Maine's Mental Health Parity Law

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  previous evaluations of the State's mental health parity law have shown the potential of the law to reduce annual administrative costs, debt and charity costs in the State's health care system; and

Whereas,  an updated review of the mental health parity law is required before the end of the current session of the Legislature to provide the information necessary to evaluate whether the law should be retained; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance to review mental health parity law. Resolved: That the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance shall conduct an updated review and evaluation of the mental health parity law as enacted by Public Law 2003, chapter 20, Part VV pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 24-A, section 2752, subsection 3. The Bureau of Insurance shall prepare a report of its review and evaluation and shall hold a public hearing on the report. The Bureau of Insurance shall submit the report to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by June 1, 2011.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This resolve directs the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance to review and evaluate the mental health parity law in the same manner as is required for a proposal for a mandated health benefit.