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1、COALITIONFORWHOLEHEALTHJanuary31,2012SteveLarsenDeputyAdministratorandDirectorCenterforConsumerInformationandInsuranceOversightCentersforMedicareandMedicaidServicesDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices200IndependenceAvenueS.W.,Room445-GWashington,DC20201DearMr.Larse
2、n:TheCoalitionforWholeHealthisabroadcoalitionoflocal,State,andnationalorganizationsinthementalhealthandsubstanceusedisorderprevention,treatment,andrecoverycommunities,andweappreciatetheopportunitytocommentontheEssentialHealthBenefitsBulletin(“theBulletin”)release
3、dbytheCenterforConsumerInformationandInsuranceOversightonDecember16,2011.Wethankyouforyourstrongcommitmenttomakingmentalhealth(MH)andsubstanceusedisorder(SUD)careatoppriorityandforworkingtoensurethatindividualswithMH/SUDneedsreceivequalitycare.ThedesignoftheEssen
4、tialHealthBenefits(EHB)willhaveadirectimpactonthehealthandwell-beingofover70millionAmericans.EHBdesignwillalsohavetremendousimpactacrossourhealthcaresystemandisacentralcomponentofthePatientProtectionandAffordableCareAct(ACA).WebelievethattheEHBisacriticallyimport
5、antopportunitytoaddressthehealthneedsofthe25millionAmericanswithuntreatedmentalillnessand/orSUD,preventthesediseasesinmillionsmore,andprovidenecessaryservicestothoseseekingcarefororinrecoveryfrommentalillnessorSUDtoimprovetheirhealthandwellnessandreachtheirfullpo
6、tential.ThankyoufortheBulletin’sexplicitrecognitionoftheACArequirementfortheEHBtoincludeMHandSUDservices,andinamannerconsistentwiththerequirementsoftheMentalHealthParityandAddictionEquityAct(MHPAEA).AsnotedintheBulletin,MHPAEAappliestocoveredMHandSUDbenefitsbutdo
7、esnotrequirethattheybeofferedinthefirstplace,andpriortotheACAitdidnotrequiresmallgrouporindividualplanstomeettheparityrequirements.However,byrequiringcoverageofMHandSUDbenefitsasoneoftheEHBcategoriesandextendingMHPAEAtothoseplans,Congressmandatedthatallpublicandp
8、rivateplanssubjecttotheEHB,insideandoutsideinsuranceExchanges,berequiredtoofferMHandSUDbenefits,atparitywiththemedical/surgicalbenefitsofferedbytheplan.Weappre
