Fifth Circuit Decision Threatens Parity and Coverage for Tens of Millions The threat from a lawsuit attacking the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and mental health and addiction coverage continues after a deeply flawed decision yesterday from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Texas v. United States. In a 2-1 ruling, the Fifth … Continued

Seventeen of the nation’s leading patient advocacy groups are remaining steadfast in their commitment to protecting patients throughout the next phase of legal proceedings involving the health care law known as the Affordable Care Act. Today the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit struck down the individual mandate without a tax penalty as … Continued

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued a report titled “MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE: State and Federal Oversight of Compliance with Parity Requirements Varies.” The document paints a dismal picture of current efforts to hold health insurers accountable under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Federal Parity Law), which requires them … Continued

The following is a statement from former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy in response to the latest report from independent actuarial firm, Milliman. As U.S. life expectancy declined over the past three years, primarily due to overdoses and suicides, new Milliman data shows insurers failed to adequately cover lifesaving care. With the release of this report, no insurance … Continued

Several Key Cases Highlight Core Principles Supporting “Generally Accepted Standards of Care” For years, insurers have been able to deny health benefits by using non-transparent and/or flawed clinical review criteria as part of the utilization management process. Consumers and providers have been frustrated by the failure of regulators, accreditors, and other officials to ensure that … Continued

On episode one, season five of his popular Netflix show Patriot Act, comedian and host Hasan Minhaj discussed the complexities of navigating insurance coverage for mental health care in America. Patriot Act explores societal and political issues ranging from student loans to global elections through comedic commentary delivered by Minhaj, a former Daily Show correspondent. Minhaj … Continued

New FAQs and Module Disclosure Form Continue to Clarify Compliance Requirements On September 5, 2019, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Internal Revenue Services finalized Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that provide additional insights on the nonquantitative treatment limitations (NQTL) requirements of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (Federal Parity Law). … Continued

By guest blogger Joe Feldman, President, Feldman Associates (Wilmette, IL) and board member, The Kennedy Forum Illinois Parenting comes with a menu of general worries: keeping our children safe, raising them to be responsible adults, and safeguarding their health. Very seldom does that list of worries include sending your teen to an inpatient addiction treatment … Continued

By Patrick J. Kennedy Recently, Americans once again watched as communities in Texas and Ohio were torn apart by unthinkable violence—the aftermath to be felt for decades. In these moments of stress, anger, and grief it is only natural to look for answers. But I know I’m not alone in my dismay for the blame … Continued

On June 11, 2019, The Kennedy Forum convened advocates, major employers, HR professionals, labor leaders, and others in Chicago, Illinois to shine a spotlight on workplace well-being, and, in turn, create a better health care system for all. The theme of the event—Working Well: Innovative Strategies in Workplace Well-Being—was chosen based on the fact that … Continued