OLYMPIA – In a major step forward for mental health care in Washington, the State Senate near-unanimously passed House Bill 1432 today, sending the bill to the Governor’s desk.
Sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons (D-Bremerton), HB 1432 establishes a definition of “medical necessity” that includes mental health services and substance use disorder services. Under the bill, insurance carriers would be required to cover mental health and substance use disorder services that are prescribed by patients’ doctors and deemed medically necessary.
“Today, tens of thousands of Washington parents are one step closer to being able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing they’ll be able to get the mental health care they know will save their kids’ lives,” said Simmons. “People all over our state will be kept out of the churn of the criminal justice system because they’ll have access to the care they need to manage and address their trauma.”
Even though current state and federal law requires insurance companies to cover mental health treatment the same way they cover physical health, companies have been able to deny coverage by deeming some mental health care services as not “medically necessary.” This bill closes that loophole by requiring all insurers to follow a single set of standards, recommended by doctors, for covering mental health treatment.
“This is a simple step we can take to significantly improve the lives of millions of Washington residents, and strengthen our behavioral health system,” Simmons said. “I look forward to the Governor’s signature on this important legislation.”
The bill is effective 90 days after the session ends.
This is the third Simmons bill passed by the legislature so far this session. The session is scheduled to end on April 27.