Great Lakes Wire

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has commended the Michigan House of Representatives for passing Senate Bill 27 by a vote of 93-12, which focuses on ensuring parity of coverage for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.

Nessel emphasized the importance of legislation like Senate Bill 27, stating, “Michigan residents need legislation like Senate Bill 27 to require health insurers to provide parity in their coverage for substance use disorder and mental health treatments, the same as they cover similar medical benefits.” She further noted, “A patient’s need for treatment of substance use disorder, or any other mental health needs can be every bit as acute, urgent, and vital to a patient’s well-being as any other medical intervention.”

The Attorney General underscored the significance of providing access to necessary healthcare services, particularly in the context of combating the opioid epidemic in Michigan. Nessel expressed her support for the House’s decision to pass the legislation, stating, “As we combat the opioid epidemic across the State, we must ensure Michigan residents have access to all the health treatment services they require. I applaud the House for recognizing this and passing this much-needed legislation.”

Senate Bill 27 aims to address existing loopholes in federal law that allow insurers to avoid covering mental health and SUD treatments. By amending the insurance code, the bill mandates insurers to provide these benefits in a manner that is substantially the same as medical and surgical benefits.

Nessel had previously submitted a letter in support of SB 27 earlier this year, demonstrating her commitment to advancing mental health and SUD treatment parity in Michigan.