Mental Health Advocates Call on House to Protect Mental Health Coverage for Children

CONCORD, N.H. - Today, mental health providers and advocates from across the Granite State released a letter calling on the New Hampshire House to pass Senate Bill 498 and hold insurance companies like Anthem accountable for covering mental health services for children.

"This legislation offers a path toward a New Hampshire where children in crisis can access the care they need, when and where they need it; where providers are sustainably supported; and where the State is no longer required to fill persistent gaps in private coverage," reads the letter. "Children and families cannot afford further delay. We respectfully urge your leadership in advancing this critical step forward and your support as we collectively work to move SB 498 out of the House."

"Our mental health providers and advocates are on the front lines helping Granite Staters who are facing mental health challenges, and they've seen firsthand how insurance companies are failing to protect coverage for critical services for kids," added Governor Kelly Ayotte. "We need to hold Anthem and other carriers accountable for refusing to cover children's mental health care, and I urge the House to join us in helping families access the care and support they need."

Right now, Anthem and other insurance companies are refusing to pay for critical mental health services that help children before they reach a crisis point. When kids can't get that care early, many end up needing more intensive treatment, such as psychiatric hospitalization, that taxpayers ultimately pay for through Medicaid or General Fund dollars. SB 498 is designed to stop insurance companies from passing those costs onto taxpayers and hold them accountable for covering these services for children before the point of a crisis.

"The New Hampshire Insurance Department stands behind Governor Ayotte in her effort to pass Senate Bill 498 and hold insurance companies accountable for protecting coverage for children's mental health care," said Insurance Commissioner D.J. Bettencourt. "Without this legislation, Anthem and other insurers will keep letting taxpayers foot the bill for their refusal to cover these services. This bill is not a tax, and it actually saves taxpayers millions of dollars. This legislation is a clear accountability measure that will ensure parents can focus on helping their kids get the care they need rather than battling insurance companies for coverage."

Read the full letter from New Hampshire mental health leaders here.