House OKs bill on mental health insurance benefits

>>>Scroll through the gallery to see the key players and issues during the ongoing session in Austin less State Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, thanked House Speaker Joe Strauss for making a mental health insurance bill a priority to get through during the legislative session. >>>Scroll through the gallery to ... more State Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, thanked House Speaker Joe Strauss for making a mental health insurance bill a priority to get through during the legislative session. Photo: Joe Moody Photo: Joe Moody Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close House OKs bill on mental health insurance benefits 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- The House tentatively approved legislation Tuesday that would ensure Texans have equal insurance coverage for mental and physical health care.

The legislation, authored by Rep. Four Price, is the first of several that he has filed on mental health care following a series of interim committee hearings on the issue. Price, R-Amarillo, told colleagues Tuesday that insurance companies are not adequately covering mental health services despite parity laws.

"(Patients) need to be able to access the care they're paying for," Price said. Although it already is required in federal and state law, Texas Department of Insurance is unable to fully regulate parity laws. "That is the law already, but what is significant about that is TDI at the state level has limited enforcement authority."

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The legislation would establish an ombudsman in the Texas Department of Insurance to resolve insurance issues. Currently, the department only may regulate mental health parity for large employers, Price said.

Price also told lawmakers the bill would not expand or mandate insurance coverage, raise insurance premiums or cost the state money.

It was tentatively approved by the House in a 110-12 vote. The bill, which has a Senate companion, still needs a third and final reading before it is sent to the Senate.

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Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, thanked Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, and Price "for making mental health a priority in Texas this session and not waiting any longer..."

Mental health has been a priority this session for Straus, who created the interim select committee on mental health care, chaired by Price. The select committee released a full report on mental health in the state in December with recommendations for the Texas Legislature.

>>>Scroll through the gallery above to see the key players and issues in the ongoing session in Austin