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An amendment offered by Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-21) to the historic health reform bill was adopted in the wee hours of Friday morning, during a marathon mark-up session in the House Education and Labor Committee. The Tonko amendment, which was approved along with a package of other amendments to America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200), addresses shortcomings to the mental health and substance abuse coverage in the bill. The Education and Labor Committee approved the entire bill this morning by a vote of 26-22.

“Mental health conditions and addiction are preventable and treatable chronic diseases – just like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease,” said Rep. Tonko. “This amendment will ensure that that these individuals will get the screenings that will lead to diagnoses and hopefully treatment.”

In the original language of the health care reform bill, some mental health and substance abuse preventative services are explicitly covered while others are not. Rep. Tonko’s amendment:

--Expands and clarifies the mental health and substance abuse preventive screenings that are covered under the essential benefits package.

--Clarifies that any mental health and substance abuse services recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force would be covered, as well as any effective services, like Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT).

--Ensures that mental health and substance abuse preventive services will be available to the patients who would benefit from them.

Rep. Tonko added: “We need to help those who are vulnerable get the help they need, give doctors the tools to provide services most effectively, and produce long-term savings in prevention that are shared by all in society. This amendment is the first step.”

The legislation is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives in the coming weeks.

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