Federal Judge Gives Agencies Go Ahead on Mental Health Rules

June 24, 2010 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis has announced a ruling by a federal judge in Washington that regulators have “good cause” to forego notice and comment on interim final rules regarding mental health services parity. 

In a statement in response to the ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in Coalition for Parity Inc. v. Sebelius, Solis said:  "We are very pleased that the court ruled in favor of the U.S. Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services, thereby allowing us to continue a regulatory process designed to benefit vulnerable members of our society.  It will make mental health benefits more affordable by putting the cost on par with other health benefits.” 

Solis said the public comment period on the interim final rules ended May 3, and the departments are working “expeditiously” to develop the final regulation (see Treasury, HHS Issue New Rules on Mental Health Parity).  

Fred Schneyer
editors@plansponsor.com