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Mental Health Access Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Oct 25, 2000

Mental Health Access Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow a health insurance issuer to impose a preexisting condition exclusion relating to a preexisting mental condition only if: (1) such exclusion relates to a condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within the six-month period ending on the enrollment date; (2) such exclusion extends for no more than 12 months after the enrollment date; and (3) the exclusion period is reduced by the aggregate periods of creditable coverage applicable to the individual or dependent as of the enrollment date.Prohibits any such issuer from requiring an individual or dependent with a preexisting mental health condition to pay a premium or contribution which is greater than that charged to an individual without such condition when the additional charge is based solely on such preexisting condition.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] · D–IL

Committees

  • Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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    1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

    2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11004-11005)

    3. Introduced in Senate

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    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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    Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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