"It would be a shame" if mental health parity legislation "were allowed to die while congressional energies are focused on the all-consuming economic crisis," a New York Times editorial states. According to the Times, "Congress is within a whisker of passing a sound and fair-minded bill" that would mandate that group health insurance provide equal treatment limits and financial requirements for mental illness or drug or alcohol abuse to those for medical or surgical benefits.

Although a 1996 law required parity regarding annual and lifetime spending limits, "insurers found ways to circumvent it." The new legislation "closes loopholes by requiring parity in deductibles, copayments and out-of-pocket expenses -- and in setting treatment limitations, such as the maximum number of doctor visits and days of coverage allowed," the editorial notes.

According to the Times, the legislation has been approved in the House as a stand-alone bill (HR 6983) and in the Senate as part of a broader tax relief bill (HR 6049, S 3335), and it has been "endorsed by President Bush, business groups, insurance companies, the medical community and mental health advocates."

However, "it requires a final shove because the measure is snarled in a broader legislative struggle over how to pay for tax revenues that would be reduced by this measure and others," the editorial states. The editorial asks, "Is there a statesman who can push this worthy parity legislation through to final passage before adjournment?" (New York Times, 10/1).