Legislative update

Two Congressional bills of interest to Ohioans continued to move through the legislative process. The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee approved HR 1424, which requires mental health benefits in insurance plans (including co-payments, deductibles, and annual and lifetime limits) be equivalent to medical and surgical benefits. The Senate passed a similar bill earlier this month. (Source: "Ways and Means approves mental health parity bill," Business Insurance, Sept. 26, 2007.)

In addition, on Tuesday the entire House of Representatives voted on a bill (HR976) to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Twelve of Ohio 17 Congressional members voted for the bill. However, the bill didn't pass with enough votes to over-ride an expected veto by President Bush. The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate. Because of the veto threat, "Congress is expected to temporarily extend current SCHIP law, which otherwise will expire Sunday." (Source: Gongwer Report, Sept. 26, 2007.)