NACo submits comment on proposed Mental Health Parity Rule
Author
Blaire Bryant
Naomi Freel
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
On October 17, NACo submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Treasury, Labor and Health and Human Services' proposed rule to further enforce provisions under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), a sweeping mental health parity rule enacted in 2008. The rule aims to establish equitable treatment limits for mental health and substance use, in line with medical and surgical benefits.
Why counties commented on the rule:
- Counties support ensuring mental health and substance use coverage limits are no stricter than medical and surgical benefits
- Counties support data collection on the impact of treatment limits on access to mental health services
- Counties support establishing rules for comparing treatment limits and detailing how plans share these analyses with departments, state authorities and participants
Additionally, NACo requested further consolidation regarding the removal of the option for self-funded non-federal government plans to opt out of MHPAEA. As written, the policy could potentially subject county health plans and governments to non-compliance penalties.
Therefore, counties recommend the final rule:
- Provide clear language on how third-party administrators can comply with MHPAEA when assisting counties in providing non-federal government health plans
- Adopt a tiered penalty system that adjusts based on violation severity and frequency to boost compliance and ease financial burdens
Want to see what else NACo is doing in the fight for Mental Health Parity?
Featured Initiative
NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing
(2023-2024) Counties increasingly handle direct mental health service. NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing developed reports and united county leaders to address the mental health crisis through key policy priorities.
NACo offers new Medicaid resources as Congress advances Budget Resolutions with major Medicaid reform implications
On April 10, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to adopt a Senate-passed budget resolution, marking the next step in the budget reconciliation process. The proposed funding levels therein represent significant potential cost shifts to counties, particularly in the area of Medicaid financing. To help county leaders understand what’s at stake, NACo has developed two new resources.
County Countdown – April 21, 2025
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. This week features the ARPA reporting deadline, a budget reconciliation update and more
U.S. House reintroduces legislation to address the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy
Two bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) were recently reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
House E&C Committee advances SUPPORT Act reauthorization
On April 9, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee marked up the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025. The bipartisan bill aims to reauthorize critical programs that target overdose prevention amid the renewal of the opioid crisis Public Health Emergency declaration.
Bird flu update: What county leaders should know
As of April 7, there have been 70 confirmed cases of bird flu in the United States, but no person-to-person spread has been detected.
HHS issues termination notices for health grant funding
On March 25, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent letters to state authorities and counties with direct grant funding announcing the immediate termination of several pandemic-related grants, which was previously set to run through September 2025.
Federal Reforms to Medicaid Financing: What Counties Should Know (Part 2)
This two-part webinar series will examine the vital role Medicaid plays in supporting county-administered behavioral health and primary care services.
Ask a Public Health Expert: The Resurgence of Measles
Join NACo on Thursday, May 15 at 2 p.m. ET for a webinar on the resurgence of measles and what county leaders need to know. As outbreaks emerge across the U.S., this session will cover the history of measles, the importance of vaccination, current trends and how counties can respond effectively. The hour-long webinar will feature a 30-minute expert presentation followed by 20 minutes of audience Q&A. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from public health experts and get your questions answered.