U.S. House clears mental health parity bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that will require American insurance companies to practice "mental health parity." This means that the companies will be required to cover mental health care on an equal basis with medical care. The bill, known as the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, was passed by a two-thirds majority in the House. One of its sponsors, U.S. Rep. Brian Baird (D-Washington), said the bill will benefit millions of Americans who suffer from mental illness or substance abuse by blocking insurance companies from denying mental health treatment to people who have health insurance.