S807

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Barbara Buono which would require insurance companies to cover alcoholism, substance abuse and mental disorders under the same terms and conditions as for other diseases or illnesses was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee today by a vote of 10-3.

“The health care literature terms mental health disorders and alcohol and drug addiction as diseases,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “Treatment for these disorders is expensive, and out-of-reach for many New Jerseyans battling alcoholism, drug abuse and mental disorders on a day-to-day basis. We need to provide parity through our State’s insurance regulations, and give New Jerseyans living with these diseases access to treatment they need.”

TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bill to provide “parity” insurance coverage for alcohol addiction and mental health treatment under a bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Barbara Buono, both D-Middlesex.

The Senate approved the bill 29 to 9 and it now goes to the Assembly.

TRENTON – Insurance coverage for alcohol addiction and mental health treatment would be greatly enhanced under a bill approved today by the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee.

“It’s only right that mental health problems and alcohol and drug addictions be covered in the same manner as other diseases,” said Senator Joseph F. Vitale, a prime sponsor of the bill, S-807.