Expand Mental Health Parity Law
What the bill does - Two years ago,
WPAS successfully collaborated with the Washington Coalition for Insurance
Parity to pass a law bringing mental health insurance parity to Washington
state. Parity means that mental health services are covered by insurance the
same way that other health care services are covered.
The law will be phasing in over several years
(see the
fact sheet for details), and will cover about one and one half million
people. Some people, however, were left out of the law, and the
coalition will be working to expand the law to cover them. One of the
groups that were not part of the law are people who purchase health insurance
individually. Currently, there is virtually no mental health coverage
for individual buyers of health insurance. The other group who was left
out is people who are employed by small businesses (having between two and 50
eligible employees).
Everyone should have mental health parity!
WPAS will work to expand the parity law to cover as many people as possible.
WPAS position -
PRO
Status (updated 6/26/06) - The
Washington Coalition for Insurance Parity is working to expand the parity law.
Access to Court and Freedom from Abuse and Neglect
What the bill does - WPAS is
currently exploring possible bills to address these issues.
WPAS position -
PRO.
Status (updated 6/26/06) - WPAS is
currently exploring possible bills to address these issues.
Effective Ombuds Services
What the bill does - People
sometimes need help navigating confusing state service systems. Ombuds
services can be an effective way to make this happen. WPAS envisions
ombuds services for the state Medicaid system, the state Developmental
Disability system, and an independent ombuds (to replace the current flawed
system) in the state Mental Health system.
WPAS position -
PRO.
Status (updated 6/26/06) - WPAS is
currently exploring possible bills to address these issues.
Consumer Run Services in the State Mental Health
System
What the bill does - The bill declares
that consumer and advocate-run services will improve quality in the mental
health system, and states the Legislature's intent that people with mental
illness and their family members should be involved in the design and
provision of services.
WPAS position -
PRO. WPAS is supporting a coalition of mental health consumer
groups who are sponsoring this bill.
Status (updated 6/26/06) - A dedicated
coalition is working on this bill.
Accessible Voting
What the bill does - WPAS is dedicated to
finding ways to make voting accessible for everyone.
WPAS position -
PRO.
Status (updated 6/26/06) - WPAS is
currently exploring possible bills to address these issues.
Consolidate RHCs and Redirect Resources to Community Services
What the bill does - The state currently
operates five Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) - institutions for
people with developmental disabilities. People with disabilities should
be a part of the community - not congregated into impersonal institutions.
People with disabilities should have the same rights and opportunities as
everyone else.
WPAS position -
PRO.
Status (updated 6/26/06) - WPAS will
continue to work for the consolidation and closure of the RHCs.
