Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) released figures highlighting recent data that show that the Affordable Care expands mental health and substance use disorder benefits and federal parity protections for approximately 60 million Americans– including more than five million Texans – representing one of the largest expansions of mental health and substance use disorder coverage in a generation.

Because of the health care law, for the first time insurance companies in the individual and small group market are required to cover mental health and substance use disorder services as one of ten categories of essential health benefits. Additionally, insurance companies must cover these services at parity with medical and surgical benefits, which means things like out-of-pocket costs for behavioral health services must generally be comparable to coverage for medical and surgical care.

“It is of the utmost importance that all Americans receive equal access to mental health services,” said Congressman Cuellar.  “Under the law, insurance companies are now required to cover these services at parity with other medical benefits.  I encourage the five million Texans who now have expanded access to take full advantage of their increased coverage to seek any care they may need.  I hope that institutions such as school districts, hospitals, and healthcare centers will do their part to spread the word about these newly available benefits.”

An estimated one in five adults experiences a mental illness in any given year. While most mental illnesses are treatable, those with mental illness too often cannot access needed treatment if they do not have health insurance that covers mental health services. The Affordable Care Act requires most health plans to cover recommended preventive services like depression screenings for adults and behavioral assessments for children at no cost to consumers. And, because of the law, starting in 2014 insurers will not be able to deny coverage or charge individuals more due to pre-existing conditions, including mental illnesses.