Update: Last week the Mental Health Parity legislation was moved out of the house committee.

SHB 1154, which would establish mental health parity, was voted out of House Financial Institutions and Insurance by a 7-2 count. The 'yes' votes were by Reps. Kirby, Ericks, Geoff Simpson, Santos, Schual-Berke, Tom, and Williams. Representatives Schual-Berke (prime sponsor), Geoff Simpson and Rodney Tom all spoke effectively to passage.

Currently, state law does not require health insurers to provide mental health coverage, nor does it impose specific mandates on the level of coverage that must be provided by those insurers who do offer such coverage. There is a great need for mental health services that is not covered by most health plans. Financial barriers prevent millions of people from receiving needed treatment. The costs of implementing a mental health parity requirement would be more than offset by the savings it would create and, in addition, such a requirement would improve the lives of millions of people. Proposed legislation would require group health insurance plans to provide the same coverage for mental health services as provided for medical and surgical services.

Action: The bill may come to the floor of the house as early as next week. Please contact your Senator and Representatives and ask them to support SHB 1154. If one of your Representatives is listed above please thank them for today’s vote as well.

Action: Contact your State Senator and Representatives and urge them to establish mental health parity

Update: Before Governor Locke left office, his proposed 2005-2007 budget was submitted to the legislature containing a large cut to nursing homes. In real terms, Caroline Kline Galland Home would stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in state support.

Of the 200-plus residents at Caroline Kline Galland Home, over half are on Medicaid. The Medicaid program pays for direct care of residents in addition to other services. Any reduction in Medicaid reimbursement would greatly affect the quality of care to nursing home residents. Today’s nursing facility Medicaid payments are based on 1999 costs. Since 1999, nursing facilities have experienced increases in liability insurance premiums upwards of 250%, workers’ compensation premium increases of 40%, increases in employee wages and benefits to remain competitive with home care workers’ wage increases, and normal inflationary costs for utilities, food and other operational costs. In many cases, Medicaid reimbursement has fallen below the nursing facilities’ cost of delivering services. Medicaid payments must be increased to ensure quality care and services to residents in nursing facilities. Nursing facilities must remain a viable part of the long-term care continuum as they serve those who are more medically fragile and in need of 24-hour skilled nursing care.

Action: Contact your Representative if they are a member of the House Appropriations Committee

House Appropriations Committee: Representatives Alexander, Anderson, Armstrong, Bailey, Buri, Clements, Cody, Conway, Darnielle, Dunshee, Grant, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Linville, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Pearson, Priest, Schual-Berke, Talcott and Walsh.