Search Terms: mental, health, parity
Document 1 of 1.
Copyright 1999
National Journal
Government Executive
August
1999
SECTION:
EXECUTIVE MEMO; Page 10
LENGTH:
230 words
HEADLINE:
MENTAL HEALTH PARITY
BODY:
President Clinton issued an executive order in June making it easier for people with psychiatric disabilities to get permanent jobs in the federal government. The order supersedes a previous rule that made it difficult for agencies to hire people with psychiatric disabilities as permanent employees. Under the old rule, agencies could hire such employees only on a temporary basis. After the temporary jobs ended, the employees faced having to compete for their jobs through a national job search.
The new rule will afford people with psychiatric problems the same opportunities currently granted to employees with physical disabilities.
The White House announced it will ask all 225 health-care providers in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan to provide the same service and coverage for mental health and substance abuse that they provide for other health conditions. The Office of Personnel Management expects to have the new mandate in place by 2001.
The
mental health,
chemical and substance abuse
parity
is part of a Clinton administration effort to make the federal government "the model employer for health plans across the nation," says Christopher Jennings, a White House health-care policy adviser. Although no official estimates have been released, Jennings says the new coverage will likely cause premiums to go up less than $1.30 per month.
LOAD-DATE:
September 22, 1999
Document 1 of 1.
Search Terms: mental, health, parity
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