The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act ended health insurance benefits discrimination between mental health/substance use disorders and medical/surgical benefits for group health plans with more than 50 employees. The law became effective on January 1, 2010. AACAP is actively involved in the implementation of the federal law, as well as efforts to advocate for more expansive parity through state legislation.

AACAP is a member of the Parity Implementation Coalition, which works to ensure the effective implementation of the federal parity law. Click here for more information.

• AACAP Comments on Interim Final Rules under the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
  (May 5, 2010)
• AACAP Comments on the Implementation of the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
  (May 28, 2009)
• How the Mental Health Parity Law Will Affect You