The Hill News

A crucial decision is quietly working its way through the halls of the Department of Health and Human Services that will impact the quality of care available to millions of Americans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The issue at hand is the requirements for the essential health benefits package, which will decide which components insurance plans will have to include in order to qualify for the exchanges set up under the ACA. 

Much of the public discussion that has occurred has centered on cost and affordability. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report that set forth a rigid standard for measuring overall essential health benefits â€" the “typical” employer plan in the small group market â€" that is focused heavily on cost over the needs of the individual patient. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is concerned for the patient population we represent, as well as other patient populations that have needs that go beyond the bare minimu! m care. The essential health benefits package must include a wide range of health care products that meet patient needs, especially those with chronic illness or disease, follow the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, and ensure that patients have access to medically appropriate care and not set national standards for whether individual items and services are either included or excluded. 

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