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"Millions of Americans are challenged by serious mental health conditions, and ensuring appropriate treatment and coverage is an important priority for all health care stakeholders. Over the past decade, health insurance plans have responded by offering innovative programs and increasingly flexible benefit options that provide access to high-quality, evidence-based behavioral health care.
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"Health insurance plans support the bipartisan mental health parity legislation (S. 558) that passed the Senate by unanimous consent because it is a balanced approach that would preserve access to health plans' medical management and quality improvement programs.
"Unfortunately, the House legislation would turn back the clock on advances in the quality of care and impose excessive costs on patients and employers. Though well-intentioned, this legislation would undermine the progress that has been achieved in improving behavioral health benefits through coordinated-care strategies.
"We will continue to work with consumers, employers, and other stakeholders to achieve the shared goals of improving the quality and accessibility of behavioral health benefits."
SOURCE America's Health Insurance Plans
