The Connecticut Parity Coalition was busy in 2019 ensuring that access to mental health and addiction treatment is provided at parity with physical and surgical treatment. The Coalition includes BHECON partner CT Community Nonprofit Alliance, as well as partners from last year’s BHECON Candidate Roundtable; NAMI Connecticut and Mental Health Connecticut.
On March 5, the Connecticut Parity Coalition held a bipartisan press conference with former U.S. Congressman from Rhode Island Patrick J. Kennedy and the co-chairs of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee to call for passage of HB 7125: An Act Concerning Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits. The bill would require insurance companies to provide analysis and share how they are complying with the Federal Parity Law. It would also eliminate barriers to access addiction treatment.
HB 7125 was successfully passed out of committee and scheduled for a House vote in May. The National Council for Behavioral Health provided testimony in support of the bill.
