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Opinion | Ending wrongful denials of mental health care
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Every day, mental health professionals in Michigan are forced to turn away patients in need of mental health support. The harsh reality is that when people can’t access these interventions, the results are tragic: more emergency room visits, more overdoses, more suicides and more families pushed into financial crisis.
Why is this our reality?
Michiganders are often denied coverage for standard mental health treatments, like therapy or inpatient care, because insurance companies use vague or outdated definitions to determine if something is “medically necessary.” These outdated insurance policies fail to treat mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUD) with the urgency and seriousness they deserve, leaving providers unable to support their patients. These policies don’t just exacerbate suffering; they undermine the potential for recovery and long-term wellness.
Finally, after years of delayed and deferred treatment, we have a bill to end these care denials — Fair Standards in Mental Health Care. The bill establishes a shared definition of “medical necessity” that requires insurers to use the same clinical standards that doctors use when making coverage decisions for mental health and substance use disorder treatment. It helps hold insurers accountable to their promises and protects patients and is a key step in delivering fairness and transparency in health care for Michiganders.
We have seen the consequences of delayed or denied care: young people giving up, parents burning out and communities bearing the cost in lost productivity, strained social services and avoidable crises. But we also know what’s possible when people receive the help they need: earlier recovery, healthier families, and a stronger Michigan.
Mental illness and addiction issues affect everyone in Michigan. We must act with fairness and compassion. It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do. We cannot allow corporate greed to overpower the need for comprehensive mental health care. This is a bill that ensures people can get the help they need, when they need it.
I urge my colleagues to act swiftly and pass this bill so that when a Michigander asks for help, the answer is “yes,” not “not covered.”
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