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TRENTON – A bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale, Bob Gordon and Diane Allen which would require public health insurance providers to cover the treatment of mental and nervous disorders, alcoholism and substance abuse under the same terms and conditions as other medical illnesses was approved today by the full Senate.

“It has long been established that mental health disorders and drug and alcohol dependencies are medical diseases, but unfortunately New Jersey’s health insurance companies have not caught up and therefore do not always cover the cost of treatment,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “By ensuring that the state’s two largest health care plans – the State Health Benefits Plan and the School Employee Health Benefits Program – cover these mental health and dependency disorders, we are making a statement that all insures need to update their policies.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Bob Gordon, which would require public health insurance providers to cover the treatment of mental and nervous disorders, alcoholism and substance abuse under the same terms and conditions as other medical illnesses was approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

“Long ago, we established that mental health disorders and drug and alcohol dependencies should be treated as diseases, unfortunately some health insurers in the state still do not treat these illnesses with the same regard as non-mental health disorders, and often block and limit access to treatment that would manage or cure them,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “By requiring that the state’s two largest health plans for public employees get with the times and treat all illnesses the same whether of the mind or the body, we can ensure that mental health and substance abuse treatment is available to many of those who need it.”