AB 1600 (Beall) Mental Health Parity:

Summary of Bill: AB 1600 requires health plans and health insurers to cover the diagnosis and medically necessary treatment of a mental illness of a person of any age, including a child, instead of limiting coverage only to severe mental illness, as in current law. The law also states that the definition of mental illness under this law is subject to revision to conform to list of mental conditions defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (published by the American Psychiatric Association and considered the standard list of mental conditions) following publication of each subsequent volume of the DSM.

Talking Points:
     • As a faith community, UUs affirm and promote the “inherent worth and dignity” of all people, including those dealing with mental illness.
     • AB 1600 requires health plans to cover the diagnosis and medically necessary treatment of any mental illness of a person of any age, including a child, instead of limiting coverage to only a few severe mental health conditions.
     • Every person has a human right to treatment that restores their physical and mental well being.